(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – “I never forced any media institution asking for publicity but established real media freedom and I am happy about the new Ministry I have received,” said former Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka.
Minister Karunathilaka made these comments at a farewell ceremony held on Tuesday (23) at the Department of Government Information (DGI), organised by the Ministry of Mass Media.
Minister Karunathilaka stated that he was happy about the passage of the Right to Information (RTI) Act unanimously in the Parliament and was to present the Electronic Media Regulatory Bill in Parliament within another month.
He further stressed that he was able to present a Cabinet paper and to regain the right of telecasting the cricket matches to the Rupavahini, who lost it during the past period. A tender process was introduced to sell the waste papers of the Government Printing Department and the State Printing Corporation and thereby earnt a huge profit. Holding the Presidential Awards for the Cinema which was not held for years is also one of the achievements, he added.
In addition, money has been received to build the ‘Amaradeva Asapuwa’ and a land can be released to build houses for journalists said the Minister, adding that he has been assigned the task to give one million land deeds and now he has got an opportunity to go to the people and work for the people.