News
Govt. to introduce mechanism to regulate social media
Dissemination of false information and promotion of racism
Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella told the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media on Saturday that a proper mechanism to regulate websites would be introduced within the next two weeks.
A member of the Committee MP Suren Raghavan said the promotion of racism and dissemination of false information through social media should be curbed. Minister of Education Prof. G. L Peiris said that a new law had been passed in Singapore to control such matters and that such legislation should be studied prior to formulation of a new mechanism here.
Rambukwella said that the Press Council Act should be amended to help protect the dignity of the citizens and that the rights of all citizens should be protected by the media.
MP Prof. Charitha Herath said that the amendments to the Press Council Act had been discussed at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media. He also said that a proper mechanism should be formulated to regulate television and radio as well.
SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that there was a need to reactivate the self-regulatory system for media institutions, which was discussed in 2015.
Discussions were also held regarding resuming the telecast of Parliamentary sessions through Channel Eye of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. The Committee also focused on the importance of recognising journalists as professionals, the establishment of a minimum wage scheme for journalists, deploying graduates in Mass Communication to related vacancies, and the appointment of teachers to teach Mass Media as a subject.
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella pointed out that six chairmen had been appointed to the Independent Television Network (ITN) during the last four years. By 2014 ITN was the number one channel according to surveys but the state media institutions were running at a loss during the previous regime. It would take two years to make them profit-making ventures, he said.
The Minister said that providing educational scholarships to journalists and media equipment at concessionary rates along with multiple welfare activities would be implemented.
Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media Jagath P. Wijeweera informed the committee that an insurance scheme for journalists would be introduced along with the establishment of a journalism college in the coming year.
Retired SSP Shani Abeysekera, serving the Police Department again, has been appointed to the committee headed by Senior DIG Asanka Karawita, tasked with studying the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report on the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.
The other members of the team are DIG, CID, Director, CID and Director Terrorism Investigation Division (TID)
Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday said that Abeysekera had been one of the law enforcement officers whose conduct raised eyebrows over the years as regards the failure on the part of the CID to thwart the Easter Sunday attacks.
The National Police Commission approved the reappointment of SSP Abeysekera on contractual basis for one year, with effect from 10 Oct., 2024.
Abeysekera backed Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s presidential election campaign as a member of the retired police collective.
The Rite of Translation of the body of Pope Francis took place in the Vatican on Wednesday (23) morning, led by the College of Cardinals gathered in Rome following his death.
Vatican News reported: “Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, began the liturgical rite in the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta with a brief prayer for the soul of Pope Francis.
In the opening prayer, Cardinal Farrell thanked God for the 12-year ministry of the late Pope.
“As we now leave this home, let us thank the Lord for the countless gifts He bestowed on the Christian people through His servant, Pope Francis,” he prayed. “Let us ask Him, in His mercy and kindness, to grant to the late Pope an eternal home in the kingdom of heaven, and to comfort with the celestial hope the papal family, the Church in Rome, and the faithful throughout the world.”
The College of Cardinals then led the procession of the coffin through the Vatican’s Santa Marta Square, under the Arch of the Bells, and into St. Peter’s Square.
Over 20,000 people had gathered in the square to pay their respects to the late Pope, erupting into subdued but sustained applause as his coffin was carried up the steps and into St. Peter’s Basilica.
The late Pope’s coffin was placed in front of the Altar of the Confession, and the choir chanted the Litany of the Saints in Latin for the repose of his soul.
Cardinal Farrell then led a brief Liturgy of the Word, which included a reading from the Gospel of John (17:24-26) of Jesus’ priestly prayer proclaiming the love of God for Him and for His disciples.
The rite concluded with the chanting of the Salve Regina, a Marian hynm that begins “Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy.”
Members of the College of Cardinals then paid their respects to the late Pope Francis, followed by the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Stockholm Kapila Fonseka concurrently accredited to Estonia presented credentials to Estonian President Alar Karis at a ceremony held in Tallinn, Estonia recently.
Sri Lanka and Estonia enjoy cordial bilateral relations for 29 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1996. The two countries held the first round of bilateral consultations in Colombo in 2024.
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