People should be educated on development activities - Keheliya

People have not gained a proper awareness about the massive development projects in progress throughout the country and the attendant benefits accruing to the people, said Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at a ministry progress review meeting held at the ministry attended by Heads of institutions coming under the ministry yesterday morning.

Minister Rambukwella

Minister Rambukwella noted that a continuous

propaganda campaign should be carried out through the media to educate the people about the development activities launched by the government.

"The next two years will be described as election years,since several elections are due to be held during the next two years," he said. "Steps should be taken to take the message about the people-friendly programmes undertaken by the government to the general public," the Minister said.

The minister also said allegations have been made by certain parties that the proper situation regarding the massive development activities launched by the government had not filtered down to the people.

The minister who also pledged to create a good media culture within the next three years said he expected the unstinted support and co-operation of all heads of institutions to implement it in line with government policy.

Minister Rambukwella also said he was fully aware of the role played by the new Ministry Secretary and the heads of institutions added that he would create a situation where heads of institutions could perform their duties independently. It was the first progress meeting attended by Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath after assuming duties in his new post.

Monitoring MP of Mass Media and Information Ministry Manusha Nanayakkara, heads of media institutions and Information Department Director General Prof. Ariyarathne Athugala were present.