Use extended media outreach to forge harmony - President

Rasika SOMARATHNA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said unlike during the conflict period, the media today had equal access to all corners of the country. He said with its expanded outreach, the media today could make a significant contribution towards forging closer bonds between people from various backgrounds and different regions.

President Rajapaksa said the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) was a media institution which had always been committed to uphold the best interest of the country and supplement efforts towards propagating harmony, nation building and development.

The President was speaking at the launch of Abhiman Rathriya, a musical pageant organised in connection with the 87th anniversary of radio broadcasting in Sri Lanka at the Ananda Samarakoon studio of the SLBC on Tuesday.

President Rajapaksa participating as the Chief Guest, payed tribute to the SLBC.

The President said Sri Lanka’s premier broadcaster was responsible for producing some of the country’s finest musicians, composers and artistes over the years.

While noting that radio broadcasting in the country had a proud history, President Rajapaksa recalled how Edmond Hillary who conquered the Everest had stated that he had heard Sri Lanka’s radio broadcast even at the top of the mountain.

He recalled how the late Karunaratne Abeysekera used the radio at the time to bring the news of the death of Premier S W R D Bandaranaike to the people causing a significant impact.

The President said unlike in the past, radio broadcasting today had grown exponentially and instead of one channel in the past, there were 45 channels today.

He said however, it was important for all these channels to be aware of their responsibility towards the country and work towards fulfilling it.

During the musical pageant held after the President’s speech, several vocalists, including maestro Pandith W D Amaradeva performed some of the most memorable songs produced by the SLBC for the audience.

Pandith Amaradeva was also honoured with an award, presented by the President as a tribute to his yeomen service, as an artiste to the country and the local music scene.

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Bandula Gunewardene, MP A H M Azwer, SLBC chairman Hudson Samarasinghe, Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath, musicians, literati and past and present employees of the SLBC also participarted.