Minister Nalinda Jayatissa Asserts No Plans to Restrict Media Under New Government

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that the new government has no intention of imposing restrictions on the media.

He made this statement during a discussion with representatives from the Sri Lanka Broadcasters' Guild, which took place at the Ministry of Mass Media.

The meeting was convened to present the views and proposals of the Guild to the Minister and to discuss several requests.

During the meeting, the Minister informed the Sri Lanka Broadcasters' Guild about certain shortcomings in the currently enacted and operational laws affecting them.

He emphasized that both the media and the government must act with mutual understanding. 

He also stressed that the government takes full responsibility for properly managing the media for the benefit of the public, and assured that there are no plans to impose restrictions on the media.

The Minister further stated that the Ministry of Mass Media, having previously become an ineffective and passive institution, is now a key focus of the current government to restore its proper place.

Officials from the Sri Lanka Broadcasters' Guild requested the Minister to take action to ensure a conducive environment for the media to operate freely and independently, thereby safeguarding media freedom.