Future Ministry programs will consider criticism- Media Minister

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday that his Ministry will formulate future programs after taking into consideration the criticism levelled against the Ministry.

The Minister made this observation at the committee stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2011.

He said he welcomed the criticism levelled against his Ministry's recent past. The Minister said that although the Opposition alleged that media institutions are partial, there were 62 electronic media and anybody can select one according to their wish.

The Minister stated that media institutions cannot neglect President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who are playing a pivotal role in the country's economic development drive. "Even private media institutions are unable to neglect them," Minister Rambukwella said.

He said that it was pointless to talk with jealousy.

In respect of ITN, Opposition members claimed that ITN did not have advertisement while then another makes a contradictory statement by saying it is the most popular channel, the Minister said.