A preliminary discussion regarding the establishment of the "Youth Journalists Network" was held on the 11th at the Ministry of Youth Affairs. The initiative aims to elevate the media space available to the Sri Lankan youth to a more professional and high-quality standard.

This special joint program, implemented by the Ministry of Mass Media in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, was discussed at length with the participation of Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Mr. Dinindu Hennayake, Director General of Government Information, Mr. Harsha Bandara, and the Chairman of the National Youth Services Council, Mr. Supun Wijerathne.

Key Objectives of the Program:

• Networking: Connecting talented young journalists and media enthusiasts from across the island through a single, unified professional network.

• Professional Development: Developing the media landscape for the youth to meet professional standards and international benchmarks.

• Training and Mentorship: Providing specialized training on modern media practices and ethics under the guidance and mentorship of industry veterans.

The fundamental framework required for the official launch of the Youth Journalists Network is currently being finalized. This initiative is expected to provide a formal platform for young creators to align with contemporary global media trends while maintaining journalistic integrity.

It has been revealed that development projects worth Rs. 23,000 million have already been approved under the “Praja Shakthi” national initiative, the country’s premier movement for poverty alleviation. These projects are funded through the Rs. 25,000 million allocation set aside in the 2026 Budget.

These details were disclosed during a progress review meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Priority for Livelihoods and Food Security

Implemented through District Secretariats, these projects primarily focus on three strategic pillars:

• Livelihood Development: Enhancing income streams for individual family units.

• Production Economy: Strengthening the manufacturing and production processes at the rural level.

• Food Security: Encouraging and incentivizing local food production.

A significant feature of this programme is that all projects are prioritized and executed directly through Community Development Councils (CDCs).

Establishing Institutional Structures at the Rural Level

With the goal of eradicating rural poverty, the establishment of 13,977 Community Development Councils—covering every Grama Niladhari Division across the island—has now been completed. This structure effectively decentralizes decision-making power to the village level. Furthermore, the Government has taken steps to develop IT infrastructure to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the programme.

Officer Training and Supervision

To ensure the programme effectively reaches the grassroots, officer training programmes are currently underway across all 25 districts. The objective is to synergize the efforts of public officials and community leaders to achieve these development targets collectively.

During the review, it was emphasized that the “Praja Shakthi” programme underscores the Government’s firm commitment to strengthening the rural economy and steering the nation toward sustainable development.

The Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, is scheduled to depart the island today (12) to participate in the 21st Asia Media Summit, which commenced yesterday at Villa Nautica in the Maldives.

The summit, held from May 11th to 14th, brings together a large gathering of stakeholders, including policymakers, media organization owners, media professionals, communication researchers, and observers from across the Asian region.

High-Level Regional Participation

In addition to representatives from the Government of the Maldives, the summit is attended by several key regional leaders and dignitaries, including:

• The Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh.

• The Secretary-General of BIMSTEC.

• The Secretary-General of SAARC.

• The Secretary of State for Social Communication of Timor-Leste.

Keynote Address by Minister Jayatissa

Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa is scheduled to deliver the keynote address during the 4th session of the summit. His speech will focus on vital themes, including:

• Media policies and public information dissemination.

• Enhancing media professionalism.

• Communication responsibilities aimed at the public interest.

This summit serves as a premier platform for regional collaboration, addressing the evolving challenges and responsibilities of the media industry in the Asian context.

The “Neela Nuwan” tribute concert, organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) to celebrate the illustrious artistic career of veteran vocalist Devananda Vaidyasekera spanning over six decades, was held with great dignity at the Ananda Samarakoon Studio of the SLBC on the 7th.

During the event, a commemorative plaque was presented to Mr. Devananda Vaidyasekera in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the field of arts.

Healing Hearts Through Music

It was emphasized during the ceremony that Mr. Vaidyasekera, who also served as a professional medical doctor, rendered a service of national importance by healing the hearts of generations of fans through the unique medium of song.

A veteran artist who won the hearts of the public with immortal hits such as “Neela Nuwan Manel Mal” and “Sathuta Vilai Sapatha Malai,” he also made a significant contribution to playback singing during the golden era of Sinhala cinema.

Distinguished Guests

The event was graced by several distinguished personalities, including:

• Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs.

• Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Deputy Minister of Mass Media.

• Dr. Uditha Gayashan Gunasekera, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

Renowned artists including Keerthi Pasquel, Sanath Gunathilake, Janaka Wickramasinghe, and Indrani Perera were also among the attendees.

The speakers at the event underscored that recognizing and paying tribute to the mission of veteran artists is vital for uplifting the cultural values of society.

(An analytical reading of Sri Lanka’s upward movement in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index)

Media freedom is not merely the liberty of journalists to express their views; it is a fundamental indicator reflecting a society's democracy, transparency, accountability, and the citizen's right to know. In a society without a free press, truth gradually fades, and the risk of power being exercised without public scrutiny escalates. In such an environment, the citizen ceases to be an informed decision-maker and instead becomes a user subject to a controlled flow of information.

The World Press Freedom Index

The World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), is more than a list of rankings. It is a sophisticated international benchmark used to compare media freedom across nations. It serves as a scientific and analytical tool to investigate the health of a country’s democracy, transparency, and accountability.

The index is developed using comprehensive data gathered from media experts, jurists, researchers, and human rights activists worldwide. Rather than a simple ranking, it is viewed as a symbolic "health check" that measures the democratic quality of a nation.

The Transformation After the 'Aragalaya'

The 2022 economic and political crisis marked a decisive turning point, bringing about profound structural changes in Sri Lanka’s media environment. During that period, traditional media formats—especially television, newspapers, and state media centers—gradually lost their "information monopoly." This void was rapidly filled by social media and citizen journalism. Through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X, citizens took it upon themselves to report events live, critique, and analyze. This shifted the power of information production directly into the hands of the people.

Consequently, it became difficult for the state or traditional media houses to fully control the flow of information. This led to the expansion of a "networked public sphere." According to Jürgen Habermas’s theory of the Public Sphere, democracy is strengthened in an open space characterized by diverse voices and critical dialogue. Sri Lanka witnessed the active presence of such a space during the protest movement, which raised public awareness and global attention toward media freedom, ultimately providing the social foundation for the relative progress seen in the 2026 Index.

A Relative Victory

South Asia is a complex and imbalanced geographical space regarding media freedom. Many countries in the region still struggle to establish a free media environment due to political instability, legal restrictions, security pressures, and various threats against journalists.

In this context, India’s drop to the 157th position has drawn significant attention. Reasons cited for the decline in the world's largest democracy include legal harassment (often termed "lawfare"), the expansion of data control laws, and political and corporate pressure on critical voices. Even more dire is the situation in Afghanistan, which sits at 175th, symbolizing a total collapse of media freedom characterized by the closure of independent outlets and the forced removal of female journalists from the profession.

Conversely, Scandinavian countries like Norway, Denmark, and Sweden continue to lead the rankings. Their media independence, rule of law, and safe professional environment for journalists remain robust, where the relationship between the state and the media is transparent and accountable.

Against this unbalanced global backdrop, Sri Lanka’s ascent to 134th place is a notable regional achievement. While other South Asian nations face severe setbacks, Sri Lanka has demonstrated a degree of stability and limited progress. However, this "relative victory" should not be exaggerated. The 134th position still falls within the "difficult" category, indicating that media freedom is neither fully secure nor stable. Political influence, economic pressure, and legal risks remain structural challenges in the local media landscape.

Structural Issues

Despite numerical progress, several underlying structural issues persist in Sri Lanka. Primary among these is the concentration of media ownership. Most major television channels, newspapers, and digital media outlets are owned by political figures or business networks close to them, which directly limits the independence of reporting.

Furthermore, the "culture of impunity" remains a grave concern. Historic incidents, such as the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge and the disappearance of Prageeth Ekneligoda, have yet to reach full and fair legal resolution. These unresolved cases create a "chilling effect," prompting many journalists to resort to self-censorship. Simultaneously, new legal frameworks, such as the Online Safety Act—though introduced under the guise of controlling fake news—face criticism for potentially infringing upon freedom of expression.

Economic Pressure and the Journalist

Media freedom is inextricably linked to economic realities. The independence of a journalist depends heavily on their economic status. In Sri Lanka, many journalists work for low wages, under unstable contracts, and with limited professional security. When a journalist lacks long-term income stability, their critical independence may weaken, making them vulnerable to political or corporate influences. An economic model based solely on advertising revenue often encourages self-censorship during sensitive reporting.

Future Direction

To sustainably strengthen media freedom in Sri Lanka, deep reforms are needed to address structural weaknesses:

1. Independent Media Regulatory Mechanism: Establishing a mechanism free from direct government influence, composed of journalists, legal experts, academics, and civil society representatives to ensure ethics and transparency.

2. Protection of Journalists: Creating specialized mechanisms for the rapid investigation of threats or attacks against journalists to end the culture of impunity.

3. Media Literacy: Introducing media literacy at the school level to foster an informed citizenry capable of identifying fake news and thinking critically.

Beyond Numerical Achievements

Sri Lanka’s progress in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index is a significant signal that cannot be ignored. It reflects the social and political transformations that have occurred since the 2022 crisis and the subsequent expansion of the digital discourse space. While we celebrate this relative advancement, it serves as a reminder that the journey toward a truly free and safe media environment requires continuous vigilance and systemic reform

Further strengthening the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam, a special Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to enhance cooperation in the fields of information and communication between the two nations.

The signing took place following the official state ceremony welcoming the President of Vietnam, His Excellency To Lam, who arrived in the island for a two-day official visit. This agreement was part of five cooperation MoUs signed between the two countries.

Signing of the Agreement

The agreement, established between the Ministry of Health and Media of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam, was signed by:

• Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Deputy Minister of Mass Media, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.

• Mr. Ho An Phong, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, on behalf of Vietnam.

A New Approach to Sectoral Growth

Through this MOU, both countries expect to foster cooperation in information exchange, the sharing of communication technologies, and collaboration among professionals in the media sector. Special emphasis has been placed on exchanging experiences regarding modern communication strategies and the utilization of mass media for cultural promotion.

The event was attended by high-ranking government officials and diplomats from both nations. The Ministry expressed confidence that this new partnership will create numerous opportunities for Sri Lanka’s media and communication sectors within the Asian region.

The regional journalists' workshop, organized jointly by the Sri Lanka Press Council and the Kalutara District Secretariat Media Unit, was held yesterday (29th) at the District Secretariat Auditorium. The event was presided over by the Minister of Health and Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Delivering the welcome address, the District Secretary of Kalutara, Mr. H.M.S.P. Herath, emphasized that the role played by journalists as social pioneers is vital. He further noted that empowering journalists with knowledge is essential for both social progress and the advancement of the media profession.

The workshop focused extensively on enhancing the media literacy of regional journalists across the district and addressing the daily challenges they encounter in their professional duties.

Resource persons for the program included:

• Attorney-at-Law Jagath Liyanarachchi, who lectured on "The Professionalism and Legal Background of the Journalist."

• Senior Journalist T.M.G. Chandrasekara, who discussed the current challenges and emerging trends within the media industry.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the contribution of journalists deserves high recognition. He further announced that the government intends to implement special programs in the future to support and appreciate their professional service.

At the conclusion of the workshop, certificates were awarded to all participating journalists. The event saw the participation of numerous regional journalists representing both print and electronic media across the Kalutara District, alongside several government officials.

The ceremony to award appointment letters to 326 individuals for the post of Supervisory Management Assistant (Non-Technical/Technical) Service Category Grade III Postal Service Officer of the Sri Lanka Postal Department was held on the morning of April 28, 2026, at the Postal Headquarters Auditorium, under the patronage of the Hon. Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

With the aim of building an efficient public service, applications were called to recruit for 600 Postal Service Officer vacancies in the Sri Lanka Postal Department. Accordingly, appointment letters were awarded under the first phase to 326 individuals who passed the competitive examination held late last year, faced the interview, and fulfilled the necessary qualifications.

The Sri Lanka Postal Department has taken steps to recruit these newly appointed officers on a district basis. After a two-week special training provided at the postal training institutes established at the provincial level, plans are underway to attach them to post offices island-wide for their respective duties.

Addressing the gathering, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, emphasized that under the current government, there is no political interference of any kind in public service recruitments. He further stated that there are no ministerial lists or influences involved, and all recruitments are conducted transparently, based solely on merit and qualifications.

Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Ms. Deepa Liyanage, Postmaster General Mr. Ruwan Sathkumara, Deputy Postmasters General Mr. H.M. Premachandra Herath, Mr. Thusitha Hulangamuwa, Ms. Chamisha de Silva, Provincial Deputy Postmasters General, along with other distinguished guests and ministry officials participated in this event.

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The ‘Ehipassiko’ Peace Walk, an international initiative led by the Most Venerable Pannakara Thero of Vietnam and the Maha Sangha to promote global peace, is scheduled to conclude today (28th). A key highlight of the final day will be the official presentation of a sacred sapling of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to the visiting delegation by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Itinerary and State Proceedings

Following the journey from Abeysekararamaya, Yakkala, to the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara yesterday (27th), the final phase of the pilgrimage is organized as follows:

• 11:00 AM: A special dialogue with school and university students will be held at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara.

• 4:00 PM: A formal State Ceremony will take place at Independence Square, presided over by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During this event, the President will officially entrust the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi sapling to Ven. Pannakara Thero and the accompanying representatives.

• 5:30 PM: The march will resume from Independence Square.

• 7:00 PM: The pilgrimage will reach its final destination at the Gangaramaya Temple, marking the formal conclusion of the walk.

A Symbol of Unity and Devotion

The peace walk has been distinguished by its inclusive nature, drawing participation from various religious leaders and diverse ethnic communities, thereby sending a powerful message of religious coexistence and harmony to the world.

Public response throughout the route has been marked by deep devotion. Citizens were observed offering flowers and carpeting the path of the Maha Sangha with petals. Many individuals, including children and those with disabilities, gathered along the roadsides to seek spiritual blessings, which were graciously bestowed by the participating monks.

Collaborative Support

The successful execution of this program is supported by multiple state and national bodies, including:

• The Presidential Secretariat

• The "Clean Sri Lanka" initiative

• The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs

• The Ministry of Public Administration

• The Tri-Forces and the Sri Lanka Police

• The National Design Centre

The delegation of monks is scheduled to depart for the United States on the morning of May 1st, following the completion of their mission in Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education has officially released a circular outlining the conduct of religious and commemorative programs across all educational institutions for the upcoming Vesak season.

Key Highlights of the Directive:

• Duration: The designated "Vesak Week" programs will run from May 26 to June 02, 2026.

• Coverage: Includes all Schools, National Colleges of Education (Vidya Peeta), Pirivenas, and Teacher Training Colleges.

• State Alignment: Programs are organized in parallel with the 2026 State Vesak Festival, scheduled for May 27 at the Midellawala Ancient Temple, Matara, under the auspices of the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

• Implementation: The Ministry Secretary has shared a model plan and directed institutional heads to adapt and execute these programs appropriately

The official programme for the 2026 Vesak Festival has been announced by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has declared Vesak Week from May 27 to June 2.

The Ministry said that arrangements are being made to celebrate Vesak in a grand manner across the country. The programme will be carried out under the guidance of the All Ceylon Shasanarakshaka Mandalaya, in collaboration with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Department of Buddhist Affairs.