Mahinda Abeysundera represents voice of common masses - PM

Priyanka KURUGALA

'Sri Lanka maintains high journalistic standards compared to most countries which only reveal a very small percentage of the actual happenings in those countries, Prime Minister D M Jayaratna said.

"In Sri Lanka, journalists reveal all the main facts unlike their counerparts in other countries," the PM said.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne being received on arrival by Dinamina Chief Editor Mahinda Abeysundera. Media and Information Ministry Secretary W.B. Ganegala is also in the picture. Picture by Mahinda Vithanachchi

He was addressing at the felicitation ceremony of veteran journalist and Dinamina newspaper Chief Editor Mahinda Abeysundera, at the Foundation Institute yesterday. This felicitation ceremony themed 'Mahinda Abeysundera - Review of Media Brilliance in 50 years' was held under the patronage of Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne. The Prime Minister said that he studied how media performed their duties in other countries while on foreign tours.

He said that Dinamina Chief Editor Mahinda Abeysundera always used his pen for the uplift of society. Prime Minister Jayaratne on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapaksa commended the services of Abeysundera 'who tries to represent the voice of the common masses through his pen'.

The Prime Minister added that Abeysundera was among the very few journalists who dared to reveal the truth through his pen for the interest of the common masses. He said that Abeysundera always stood for the country and the majority who are the common masses.

He said that the media can play a pivotal role in building a righteous society which honours the age old values and traditions of Sri Lankans.

Chief Incumbent of Dharmayathanaya, Colombo 7, Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera chaired the ceremony and National Tobacco and Alcohol Authority Chairman Prof Carlo Fonseka delivered the keynote address.

Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Media and Information Ministry Secretary W. B. Ganegala, ANCL Chairman Bandula Padmakumara and ANCL Editorial Director Seelarathna Senerath were among those who participated in the felicitation ceremony.