Journalists from SL, SAARC countries to interact

A programme to foster friendship and understanding and facilitate the exchange of views and experiences among journalists and media institutions in Sri Lanka and the SAARC region, was discussed along with the possibility of holding a media conference in the region, at a meeting the Sri Lanka Journalists Association (Sri Lanka Pathrakala Sangamaya) had with External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris recently.

Addressing the members Prof. Peiris stressed on the role that journalists play in a country to safeguard democracy. He was also quite pleased with the proposals put forward by the Association to create a better understanding and interaction among journalists in the region and pledged his support and that of his ministry towards such efforts.

He also undertook to create awareness among media institutions in the region through the Sri Lankan embassies and expressed the hope that a media conference organized by the Sri Lanka Journalists Association could be held in the near future.

The Association handed over to the minister a memorandum containing the following major suggestions.

Foster understanding and friendship among journalists and media institutions within the region through the good offices of the SAARC Secretariat and Sri Lankan embassies, provide assistance to exchange programmes between the Association and media institutions in SAARC countries, provide a list of media institutions in SAARC countries to the Association, help inform various media institutions in SAARC countries about Sri Lanka Journalists Association through the SAARC Secretariat and the Sri Lankan embassies, obtain international sponsorship for media welfare programmes undertaken by the Association.