Minister of Finance and Media Mangala Samaraweera has instructed State media heads to send non-performing officials in their respective organisations to a ‘Siberia’ within the organisation while commencing their work with talented individuals.
The Minister made these comments at an event held to hand over appointments to several new State media institutions. He was also quoted as saying that despite holding the Media portfolio several times before, the current tenure as the Minister in charge of media under the Yahapalana government has been the most challenging one yet.
Managing media under the Yahapalana government a challenge
According to him, with two ideologically different parties now heading the government, holding the portfolio of Media Minister has been a tough challenge as it must be controlled in a manner where no party is treated unfairly. The Minister called on the heads to act in the same manner going forward.
He also said that despite some Ministers accusing State media for not promoting the government's work, they should not proceed to violate media ethics or whitewash the government. Samaraweera said that State media should not be a 'mouthpiece' for the government as seen during the Rajapksa regime where blatant disregard to media ethics was rampant.
Send non performing staff to Siberia
Samaraweera asked the new media heads to send non performing officials to Siberia just like the Soviets once practiced with non performing officials. Furthermore, he reiterated the need to work with talented and dedicated individuals.
News and current affairs heads warned!
Samaraweera also said that he cannot be satisfied with the news and current affairs divisions of the channels over the last three years. He said these failures must be addressed while asking for a report to be submitted regarding the action to be taken on under-performing divisions.
The list of new State media heads are as follows :
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation:
1. Chairperson - Inoka Keerthinanda
2. Working Director - Nawaz Mohammed
3. Director - Saranga Wijeratne
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation:
1. Chairman - Siddhi Farook
2. Working Director - Dr. M.J.R David
3. Director - Naveen Shanaka
4. Director - Mahishini Colonne
5. Director - Saman Muthukumarana
Independent Television Network :
1. Chairperson - Thilaka Jayasundara
2. Working Director - Wimal Katipearachchi
3. Director - Nalin Aponsu
4. Director - Methsiri Paranavithana
5. Director -Selyna Peiris
6. Director - Subash Pinnapola
Selacine Television Institute :
1. Chairperson - Uma Rajamanthri
2. Director - Thushara Wanniarachchi
3. Director - Yureka Welaratne
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