Sri Lanka government to bring a national media policy

The Sri Lankan government is to bring a national media policy soon, Minister of Mass Media and Information, Anura Priyadharsana Yapa said yesterday.

Minster Yapa said that the Cabinet approved a special committee appointed by him recently to fulfill a long-felt need of the media industry in the country.

"The main purpose to create a responsible media culture in the country," the Minister said.

The 22-member committee comprising journalists, academics and professionals in the media sector is tasked to facilitate the creation of a socially viable and ethical media culture in Sri Lanka, while ensuring media freedom, the Minister said.

Media groups however view the new policy as another restriction on the press freedom. Notable media groups in the country criticized the new policy saying that the government instead needs to create a free media culture.