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National Council sub-committee avoids web journalists!

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The professional web journalists were left out of a crucial discussion held yesterday (15) by the National Council sub-committee on identifying short-and medium-term programs related to economic stabilization, the Professional Web Journalists Association of Sri Lanka alleged.

Its Convener Freddy Gamage told the Sri Lanka Mirror that the sub-committee informed him to join the discussion at around 3.00 pm the day before the discussion (14).

He had informed the organisers that he would not be able to participate in the discussion that was scheduled to be held the next day (15) at 10:00 am because he could not come without any preparation and because he had to take part in a pre-scheduled discussion.

He said that it is doubtful whether this was done in a planned manner and added that the government continues to avoid the issues of professional web journalists.

He said former minister Champika Ranawaka may also have been misled by some group.

Mr. Gamage said the only website that won a Presidential Award is also a member of his association, and that a large number of websites registered at the Ministry of Mass Media are members of his association.

He also said that his association has a history of over 10 years.

This discussion was held yesterday (15) under the chairmanship of MP Ranawaka to discuss the plights faced by media organizations in the current economic crisis followed by solutions and proposals.

It was also revealed that due to the power cuts during the prime time, the number of commercials received by TV stations has decreased and in the current economy, they have to bear high costs for the production of programs.

Journalists representing newspapers pointed out that due to the increase in production costs including the shortage of paper, there has been a major setback in the publishing industry including newspapers.

They pointed out that because of this situation, the pages of the newspapers had to be limited and the prices increased. They said that due to the reduction of newspaper pages, there is no space for the news by the regional journalists and they have not even been able to make payments.

It was also revealed that it is difficult to even pay salaries to the permanent staff of some newspaper organizations. They also pointed out that in this situation newspaper printing has decreased by 60%-70%.

Thus, newspaper journalists pointed out that the circulation of newspapers among the people has been greatly reduced due to economic issues, non-publication of local news, etc.

In addition to the economic crisis, it was also revealed that the newspaper and radio have to face a big challenge due to the current digital media trends including social media.

It was further expressed that the government should make a joint effort to reach one goal by all media organizations to prepare the people to face the current crisis situation. Attention was drawn to the need to act in the same way that the media acted in times like the tsunami disaster, defeating terrorism and overcoming the Covid-19 crisis.

Paying attention to all these comments and suggestions, the committee chairman said that based on these facts, he is expected to include the proposals related to the media sector in the next report and submit them to the National Council.

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Interim order issued over using movie song sans consent

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Colombo Commercial High Court Judge K.P. Fernando today (31) ordered an interim order, banning the use of a popular movie song for commercials and on social media.

The song, ‘Mey Bajaar Ekata Malli’, is a song on the hit movie – ‘No Address’ was penned by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne with music by Dr. Rohana Weerasinghe.

The case was filed by Dr. Weerasinghe, who stated that using the song sans permission for commercials and on social media violated his intellectual property rights.

Considering the case, the judge issued the interim order against ‘Saregama Films, Santhush Weeraman and Ceylon Cold Stores.

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Rs. 28.8 mn. already allocated for Poson festival – PMD

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The government has refuted claims raised by various parties over the lack of state sponsored funding for the Poson Program being held in Anuradhapura this year.

In a media release, the President’s Media Division states that 02 State Ministries and one Department has already allocated Rs. 28.8 million for the purpose.

According to the PMD media release, Ven. Valahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, has forwarded an estimate of Rs.17 million to the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, specifically for the Mihintale Poson Perahara.

It adds that the Secretary of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs – Mr. Somaratne Widanapathirana has informed allocating such a large sum of money is not possible within the financial regulations imposed by Parliament and that the ministry has approved a sum of Rs. 3.1 million from its budget head allocations for the 2023 National Poson Festival. 

“Secretary of the Public Administration Ministry K.D.N. Ranjith Asoka also said that an additional Rs.10 million has also been disbursed to the District Secretariats under the approval of the Anuradhapura District Secretary,” it adds.

“The National Water Supply and Drainage Board have agreed to supply 30,000 cubic meters of water for the drinking water and sanitary needs during the National Poson Festival… The Water Supply and Drainage Board Chairman, Mr. Nishantha Ranatunga, stated that the cost of these water-related services, including the installation of water tanks and tap systems at gathering places and providing water to the tanks along the Perahara route for the elephants, amounts to Rs. 15.7 million (excluding VAT), which will be covered corporately,” the media release further notes.

The complete media release issued by the PMD in this regard is as follows :

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President to deliver special statement tomorrow

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to deliver a special statement at 8.00pm tomorrow (01)

The statement,which will be broadcast via all registered radio & TV channels and will elaborate on the measures being taken by the Government over the past 09 months to revive the economy and Sri Lanka’s future social, economic & political reform programme, the President’s Media Division says.

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