The Hon. (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media

¶ 01 Madam Presiding Member, before today’s debate topic, I wish to respond to a media report yesterday stating that the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association strongly opposes attempts to curtail the Right to Information and to render the RTI Commission ineffective. As Deputy Minister, I must respond.

¶ 02 This is not about our discussion with that Association per se, but about a meeting I had with several civil groups, which included a representative of that Association. Their stated aim was to oppose a National Media Policy. I was surprised. Usually civil society seeks policies to ensure media freedom and rights within a framework. I asked that representative to submit, in writing, the theoretical basis for opposing a national media policy—particularly since the call for such a policy originally came from the media community itself.

¶ 03 We also discussed co-regulatory mechanisms and the RTI Commission. RTI has functioned for ten years, but there are significant issues around the Commission: staffing, which we are filling; and digitization to allow applicants to track requests—now being implemented. Commissioners’ allowances are to be increased; a new Commissioner has been appointed after a resignation. We are also seeking a more accessible building. Cadre revisions take time; we discussed proactive disclosure—publishing information before it is requested—using technology. If legal amendments are needed to further strengthen the Commission after ten years of practice, the Government is ready to consider them.

¶ 04 Therefore, I do not think the media release that followed, alleging attempts to dismantle RTI, reflects our actual discussion. There is a saying: you can wake those who sleep in truth, but not those who sleep in falsehood. Some organizations seem to represent only a segment of the picture. Since 2024 we have taken all decisions and actions to empower media freedom, not to suppress it. Certain organizations thrived only in repressive environments—abductions, attacks, arson, and intimidation of journalists were weekly occurrences then. That changed with a people’s government. If some organizations now face an identity crisis because repression is absent, let me be clear: if you seek a repressive state, you will not find it under this NPP government. We are a people’s government.

¶ 05 Turning to today’s topic—the CBSL 2025 report—since morning we discussed overall growth above 5 per cent, stronger external trade, exports, remittances, and tourism. Despite global supply chain disruptions, currency depreciations, and inflationary pressures from energy shocks, we have managed the economy so that the full burden did not fall on the people.

¶ 06 Who drives these gains? Working people. Labour force participation rose from 47.4 per cent in 2024 to 49.4 per cent in 2025; female participation from 29.8 to 32.5 per cent; unemployment fell from 4.4 to 3.9 per cent. We aim to raise participation further for a productive economy, distributing its benefits fairly. Industry grew 7.8 per cent; agriculture and fisheries 1.4 per cent; services 3.3 per cent, per the CBSL.

¶ 07 We have returned resilience to workers through wage increases and protections for vulnerable groups. We have allocated unprecedented sums for free health, free education, and public transport. Our medium-term target of 7 per cent growth remains; we believe we can achieve it. We ask the opposition to engage constructively—stop circulating falsehoods like “4,000 LCs for vehicles” and focus on long-term work that delivers benefits to people. We always listen to fair, reasoned criticism. Thank you.