Four members of Mangala’s committee on state media resign

Colombo (News 1st): Four members of the committee to initiate action to transform state media institutions to public broadcasting services, have resigned from their respective positions. On January 31st this year, Minister Mangala Samaraweera appointed a committee to initiate action to transform state media institutions to public broadcasting and television services. Wijayananda Jayaweera was appointed as the chairman of this committee, while Dr. Pradeep Weerasinhe, Nalaka Gunewardena, Kaushalya Fernando, Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, Anoma Rajakaruna and Attorney at law Sudarshana Gunawardena were appointed as committee members. However, Professor Jayadeva Uyangoda, Attorney-at-Law Sudarshana Gunawardena, Anoma Rajakaruna and Kaushalya Fernando, have tendered their resignations from this committee to the secretary of the ministry of media. Accordingly, the committee now consists of Wijayananda Jayaweera, Dr Pradeep Weerasinhe, and Nalaka Gunawardena. It was these three individuals who initiated the drafting of a document titled 'Independent Council for News Media Standards Act' that proposes the introduction of laws to penalize and fine media personnel and institutions. The respective document mentions the name of Wijayananda Jayaweera, as its draftsman. At present, MP Ruwan Wijewardena serves as the minister of mass media while a gazette notification issued last Tuesday confirmed that all state media comes under his purview.

Whilst claiming to be attempting to transform state media institutions into public broadcasting services, what are the ulterior motives of the NGO agents?

Minister of Mass media, this is over to you.