President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that media freedom will not be compromised under his administration but also stressed the importance of responsible reporting. He made these remarks during a meeting with the heads of electronic media institutions at the Presidential Secretariat on December 5.
In his address, President Dissanayake expressed his belief that the media should not be seen as outsiders but as integral partners in shaping a better future for Sri Lanka. He acknowledged the media’s role in helping the government build a better state and improve the quality of life for all citizens. Reiterating that the people of Sri Lanka voted for a new political culture, he called on media institutions to join in realizing the political, social, and economic changes that the public desires.
While emphasizing that the media has the right to question and criticize the government on political and economic issues, the President made it clear that reporting false information, especially content that could harm national unity, would not be tolerated. He called on media heads to ensure that their platforms do not spread misinformation that could destabilize the country.
Recalling Sri Lanka’s painful history of civil conflict, President Dissanayake stressed that the government is committed to preventing any resurgence of racism or division. He reassured the media that, under his leadership, there will be no attempts to undermine or restrict media freedom. He emphasized that promoting unity and peace is paramount to the government’s vision for Sri Lanka’s future.
During the meeting, the President also outlined the government’s ongoing initiatives to tackle key national challenges, including poverty. He introduced the “Clean Sri Lanka” program, which aims to address environmental and social issues that affect the country’s development. The government’s efforts to improve the country’s socio-economic landscape were shared with the media heads to ensure better cooperation between the government and the press.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Sri Lanka Electronic Broadcasters’ Association, along with senior officials from various media institutions, including group directors, CEOs, and general managers. The President’s call for collaboration underscored the critical role of the media in shaping a responsible and unified Sri Lankan society.
