‘Journalists should guide people’

Ariyapala Wansathilake Kurunegala Central Spl Corr

A journalist is not a mere provider of day to day information. He/she should be a guide to the people and should love and serve the motherland, said Wayamba Chief Minister Athula Wijesinghe speaking at a media conference of the Provincial Council Lichchavi Hall recently.

All leading newspaper writers in the North Western Province participated in this occasion. “The government has taken several measures to ensure the safety of media personnel,” he said. He added that certain journalists are engaged in futile efforts to tarnish the government's image by levelling false allegations.

The Chief Minister also said; “The Wayamba Provincial Council has now initiated a massive development programme in the province under the Mahinda Chinthana programme. During this period, the PC provided 5,400 graduate teacher appointments.”

The minister said the ministry would take steps to raise the standard of education in schools and save children from going for private tuition.

Provincial Director of Education J G N Thilakaratne, Public Service Commissioner W M M B Weerasekara, Wayamba Development Authority Wasantha Prematillake and Commissioner of Co-operative Department Chandana Disanayake also participated.