News
TV Presenters’ Unity together with UNDP Sri Lanka mark World Press Freedom Day 2023
The Sri Lanka TV Presenters’ Unity, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, celebrated a commemorative event to mark World Press Freedom Day 2023 today.This year’s theme was ‘Facing Contemporary Challenges to Responsible Journalism’, and the event aimed to highlight the critical role that journalists play in promoting freedom of expression, democracy, and human rights, while also addressing the challenges they face in performing their duties responsibly.
The event brought together media professionals, civil society organizations, Government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss and explore ways to promote gender inclusivity and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible journalism.
The event saw the participation of high-level representatives including; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka; Justice (Rtd) Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRCSL); President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Immediate Past President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka; and Loshini Pieris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media.
“We were excited to partner with the UNDP in Sri Lanka to celebrate World Press Freedom Day,” said Dinesh Upendra, Convenor of the Sri Lanka TV Presenters’ Unity. “We believe that this event was an important platform for promoting and advancing press freedom and responsible journalism in Sri Lanka and beyond,” he added.
The UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota, in her opening remarks highlighted the importance of press freedom and responsible journalism in promoting sustainable development and human rights. Kubota stated that in times of poly-crisis, the role of the media is even more important. She noted that journalists in Sri Lanka face many challenges, and the media sector as a whole should work collectively to address them. She went on to highlight the need for accurate and reliable information to counter misinformation and fake news, and to empower young journalists. Kubota also drew attention to hate speech, which can have devastating consequences and urged media professionals to promote accurate and factual information, while avoiding language that stereotypes, stigmatizes, and marginalizes any group.
The event included a panel discussion on ‘Facing contemporary issues to responsible journalism’ including panelists; Dr. Ranga Kalansuriya, Mandana Ismail, Attorney at Law Viranjana Herath and Rehana Thowfeek. The discussion was moderated by Attorney at Law Dilshan Pathirathne, and Thanuja Jayawardhena.
The keynote address at the event was delivered by President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Immediate Past President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.World Press Freedom Day 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaim an international day for press freedom, based on the Windhoek Declaration of 1991.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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