High-powered Sub committee to address grievances of media personnel

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed a high powered ministerial sub committee to look into problems and grievances of journalists.

The committee is due to establish an office at the BMICH, which will operate round the clock for the journalists to submit their problems and complaints to the committee in writing or over the phone.

The telephone and fax numbers will be announced later, Government sources said.

The President has appointed the committee after media organisations and media personnel have presented their problems to him, the sources added.

Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion, Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Construction and Engineering Services Minister Rajitha Senaratna, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Deputy Tourism Minister Faizer Mustapha and several non-Cabinet ministers have been appointed to the committee.

The sources said that the committee has been empowered with absolute authority to address the real issues and grievances affecting media personnel.

They said, the Government was in the process of finding solutions to the problems faced by journalists although some groups, depending on external funds, appear to on an agenda to tarnish the good image of the Government using media men as their bait.