The 12th Global Video Media Forum (VMF) opened in Quanzhou City of east China’s Fujian Province on Dec. 03, gathering around 200 representatives of 87 media organizations from more than 60 countries and regions.
As a partner organization of CCTV + that handles the srilankachinahotline.com, the editors of ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ also attended the VMF 2024.
Hosted by the CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) under the theme “Intelligence Without Frontiers, Vision Beyond The Horizon — Media’s Role in Communication and Cultural Exchange,” the two-day forum aims to hold in-depth discussions on the application and governance of artificial intelligence technologies in the media sector, establish new exchange platforms based on intelligent communication, and jointly create a bright future for the digital civilization of Global South countries.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the China Media Group (CMG), said that the media, as a bridge and link for cultural exchanges, not only witnesses the progress and development of the times, but also records and portrays the stories of exchanges among people of various countries.
Shen said the CMG stands ready to leverage its sci-tech and communication strengths as a world-class mainstream media outlet and jointly build a bridge for global exchange, cooperation, and shared prosperity for all. He said the CMG will work to open up new prospects for media cooperation, raise the voice of the Global South, and work hand in hand with like-minded peers and colleagues, to contribute to the endeavor of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
The forum also saw the release of the Joint Initiative for Media Dialogue and Cooperation of Global South. Jointly proposed by the CMG, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, the African Union of Broadcasting, and the Latin American News Alliance, the initiative aims to build a “Global South” narrative system and amplify the voices of its media, foster mutual learning and exchanges to drive the shared prosperity of Global South civilizations, and fulfill media responsibilities by advocating justice for the Global South on the global stage.
At a special dialogue session, media leaders from various countries and organizations put forward their perspectives on how to better tell the stories of the Global South. Speaking during the session, chief editor of ‘Sri Lanka Mirror’ – Mr. Kelum Shivantha said : “For countries in the Global South, including Sri Lanka, China is not just a powerful economic partner; it is a force that has redefined our approach to international relations, trade, and development.”
In addition, media professionals also explored the rich cultural heritage of Quanzhou, which is known as an historic trading port as well as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The National Vesak Week will commence tomorrow (May 09), under this year’s theme of “Let’s associate with noble people with good qualities.”
According to the secretary to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, W.P. Senadheera said that it will continue until May 16.
The official inauguration ceremony will take place tomorrow at the Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Center, under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Sri Lanka Railways has announced special train services during the Vesak week and the long weekend.
Meanhwile, the Ministry of Public Administration has ordered the closure of slaughterhouses, meat vendors, casinos, and clubs nationwide from May 12 – 14 May for the state Vesak Festival.
A circular issued on April 29 instructs all relevant businesses to comply during the period.
79 shooting incidents have been taken place in Sri Lanka over the past 07 months, resulting in 52 deaths and 260 arrests, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (May 09).
The shootings had occurred in the 07 months from September 21, 2024 until May 08, 2025.
According to the minister, the shootings had left 35 injured as well.
62 of the incidents were linked to organized criminal gangs, while 17 were classified as other types of shootings, he added.
Of the 260 arrested, 229 were connected directly to organized crime, the minister further noted.
Minister Wijepala said the government has taken high-level decisions in this regard, and that it is unacceptable to claim that there has been a serious increase in shootings since the NPP government came to power.
“When we study these shootings, we will not see a significant increase from 2022, 2023, or 2024. But we do not trivialise any shooting. We treat every human life with value. Therefore, we have taken the highest decisions we can take as a government to suppress the underworld,” he emphasised.
The Ministry of Education says that the teacher allegedly involved in the incident of molesting the schoolgirl from Kotahena has been sent on compulsory leave after receiving a police ‘B report’.
The Secretary to the Education Ministry, Nalaka Kaluwewa, states that steps have also been taken to hold an internal inquiry into the incident.
Accordingly, the teacher involved in the incident will be placed on compulsory leave in accordance with Section 27:9 of Chapter XLVIII, Part II of the Establishments Code.
The Ministry also states that a preliminary investigation into the incident is currently underway, and that formal disciplinary action will be taken as soon as the report is received.
Furthermore, the Ministry has launched an internal investigation to determine whether any parties neglected their duties and responsibilities in connection with the entire incident.
On May 08, a group of parents and students staged a protest opposite the school in Bambalapitiya alleging that a teacher had sexually assaulted the student, which led to the girl’s death by suicide.
In this regard, the Ministry of Education had called for an explanation from the school’s principal.
In a previous statement, the Ministry had said that the teacher in question was transferred, and disciplinary action will be taken based on the investigations conducted by the police.
On the same day, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Saroja Savithri Paulraj, stated that she had requested the parents of the Grade 10 student—who reportedly died by suicide following the alleged sexual assault by a teacher—to file a formal complaint with the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). However, she noted that the complaint had not been filed as of yet.
The Minister’s comments came in response to allegations made by MP Mano Ganesan, who questioned whether government action had been delayed because the owner of the tuition center—where the student was allegedly verbally abused again after the incident—is affiliated with the National People’s Power (NPP).
