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

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Deputy Chairperson. In this debate on the Heads of Expenditure of Health and Mass Media, I am privileged to first speak on the Ministry of Mass Media after assuming duties as Deputy Minister. I will structure my remarks under three areas: clarifying our Government’s media policy and legal reforms; measures to develop media as an industry; and the indispensable matter of media ethics and conduct.

¶ 02 Media is essential to democracy. As Hon. Ranjith (this morning) also said, journalists have faced murder and violence while performing their duties. We cannot forget that history. The late senior journalist Seetha Ranjani authored “Victims of the Assassination of Ideas,” a Free Media Movement publication, listing 55 journalists and media workers murdered or injured from 1981 to March 2009, and 11 artists and media industry workers killed. A persistent theme has been impunity. The Free Media Movement’s 2025 report, “Crimes Shrouded by Unlawful Impunity,” identifies about 20 journalist killings and highlights broken promises, strategic failures and institutional neglect as causes of impunity. I would add the lack of political will as a major reason justice was not delivered. As Hon. Gayanta Karunathilaka mentioned, according to Reporters Without Borders, Sri Lanka ranked 139 in 2025; in 2024 we were 150. This relative improvement is welcome, but we must move further. RSF emphasizes impunity as a key reason rankings fall. No Government has shown real will to pursue accountability, including the good governance Government that came with a strong mandate.

¶ 03 Our present challenge is that evidence in decades-old cases has often been lost. Nevertheless, we promised to reopen files where possible and take appropriate legal steps, and we are proceeding despite difficulties.

¶ 04 On the National Media Policy: this initiative originated from the media community long ago. In November 2005, five media institutions proposed adopting measures to protect media independence and rights. In 2017, the Free Media Movement presented a blueprint again. Many media organizations, institutions, practitioners and rights activists called for a policy. A committee had been appointed by the previous Government; we are facilitating a good policy based on its inclusive work. We aim to define who is a journalist; outline co-regulation principles; set out media community rights; and address freedom of speech and its limits.

¶ 05 On institutional development, there was broad support for a National Media Commission for national media issues. We accept that media should not be subject to heavy-handed regulation. The Sri Lanka Press Council Act of 1973 is outdated and State-intrusive; a renewed approach is needed. Where self-regulation faltered, we sought inputs on co-regulation; a committee has proposed ideas, with focus on ethical reporting and disinformation. We will place its recommendations for public consultation.

¶ 06 Third, the Chartered Institute of Media—originated under the previous Government—has draft proposals at the Legal Draftsman’s Department. We believe its institutional design should remain open to public input; cabinet concurrence was given in 2025 to proceed, and we are preparing swiftly. All these derive from media community and public views. Our policy envisions a “balanced information society” for a sound media industry, where practitioners’ professional rights are protected—hence the need for a professional institute and council.

¶ 07 Regarding the Online Safety Act: the committee under the Ministry of Justice recommended amendments. After a series of public consultations, we are in the final stage of incorporating and consolidating changes for early presentation. We recognize major ethical concerns and the challenge of engaging large social media platforms while safeguarding the public’s right to information and emphasizing media ethics and responsible internet/social media use. The Digital Economy, Justice, Public Security and Mass Media Ministries are working together.

¶ 08 On State media institutions: historically, they were used as havens for incompetence under different governments, causing losses. We inherited large deficits. Without a creative team, financial turnaround is impossible; without financial stability, you cannot attract creatives. A Member earlier alleged State media ethics declined and played inappropriate content; please send any such video to me directly. Our aim is not partisan state media but quality public service media, setting an example. Institutions funded by the Treasury up to 2024 are now reducing losses and moving towards self-reliance and quality creative output.

¶ 09 It was said ITN takes teledramas from Pelawatte; there is no such production unit there to my knowledge. For the first time, ITN has a selection committee assessing quality before accepting dramas.

¶ 10 A key project is Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB). Started in 2014 with Japanese assistance via National Television, many Japanese-supported projects were later halted due to mismanagement. Since our Government took office, 11 projects were restarted, including DTTB, transitioning from analogue to digital. By 2028, we expect nationwide completion, overcoming current technical weaknesses and delivering high-quality broadcasting, with Government funding committed.

¶ 11 On the Government Information Department: its valuable archive—from about 1949 and the first Independence celebrations—had deteriorated badly. This year, we established and opened a new preservation facility. Also, I table the Silumina article of 09 November 2025 on the 10-colour film compositing machine that lay unused for 23 years at the Department. This Debrie colour compositing machine, purchased around 1998 with French loan assistance, cost EUR 1,421,687; today, around Rs. 5 billion in Sri Lankan value. We are still paying the loan. A 12,700 sq. ft building was also expended. We discussed with the French Ambassador whether we can be relieved of this loan or derive any use from this massive metal hulking asset that was never utilized. This is public money.

¶ 12 According to 2024 audit reports, from 26 to 29 June 2024, Rs. 1,804,421 was spent to send the then Director-General and a journalist to France to cover former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit; however, we learned the President was not in France at that time. We are investigating and will take legal action.

¶ 13 On the Sinhala-Tamil media gap: this is a grave historical problem. We are developing programmes to use media to build peace, harmony and cooperation between Sinhala and Tamil communities.

¶ 14 On the Postal Department: though time is short, we know it suffers losses and challenges. We have a plan around three pillars—People, Infrastructure, and Digitalization: improving human resources, physical assets, and creating strong digital tracking for letters and parcels. Recruitment approvals are being sought as per Management Services.

¶ 15 On the Government Printing Department: we are introducing modern software and equipment to resolve issues. We aim to make the Sri Lanka Foundation a self-sustaining, knowledge-providing institution.

¶ 16 Regarding training of media practitioners, we have initiated discussions to start a new international-level film and television training school, building on previous but discontinued efforts.

¶ 17 On the RTI Commission, out of 36 cadre only 18 are in place. We have sought Management Services approval to fill vacancies and plan to digitize processes so complaints can be tracked.

¶ 18 In conclusion, we respect media freedom. However, within Parliament we saw privilege issues raised by the COPA Chair, Hon. Mayantha Dissanayake, and our Public Security Minister, not to curtail free speech but because freedom of expression is not limitless; it is bounded by ethics and cannot be used to inflame racism or religious hatred. We are people’s representatives and uphold the public will, not narrow sectarian agendas. We respect media freedom but will not submit to unethical media agendas. I conclude.