Confirm a National Media Policy Before Proceeding with Media Reforms – NMSJ

We urge the Government to discuss the proposed Sri Lanka Institute of Chartered Media Professionals Bill with all organisations connected to the media sector and take their views and proposals into consideration before presenting it to Parliament. We also call on the Government to establish a National Media Policy before proceeding with media reforms in Sri Lanka.

It is clear that the draft Bill on the Sri Lanka Institute of Chartered Media Professionals, published in the Gazette on 05.06.2026 under the direction of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, is a document that could have a decisive impact on the future of Sri Lanka’s media sector. However, in discussions we have held, a number of concerns have been raised regarding the structure of the institution proposed under the Bill, as well as the possible impact such an institution may have on media freedom and the established culture of a free press in Sri Lanka.

In particular, it has become extremely important to clarify the nature of the institution, namely whether the Sri Lanka Institute of Chartered Media Professionals is intended to be an incorporated state institution (a statutory body). If that is the case, we believe that it would not be the independent institution expected by Sri Lanka’s media community, and the impact this could have on the country’s free media culture would be highly detrimental.

Attention must also be paid to the possible implications of appointing the interim council responsible for the management and administration of the institution based on the recommendations of the Minister and the Secretary to the Ministry. Accordingly, it is especially important to obtain the agreement of media organisations, including the Editors’ Guild, the Electronic Broadcasters’ Association, newspaper publishers and owners, and other media organisations.

In addition, consideration must be given to the potentially adverse situation arising from the composition of the governing committee that will be confirmed one year after the interim council, particularly in relation to the balance between elected and appointed members. Consideration should also be given to the possible negative consequences of the quorum being fixed at five members, which could, under certain circumstances, allow decisions to be taken by a group consisting of only three individuals.

Therefore, as an organisation committed to the public good of the country, we earnestly request that, before this Bill is presented to Parliament, the relevant process be completed after taking into account the proposals and views of all stakeholders concerned.

We also wish to urge the Government to establish the National Media Policy that has already been prepared before taking further steps in Sri Lanka’s much-needed media reform process.

Sunil Jayasekara, General Secretary, National Movement for Social Justice

25th June 2026

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