Media role in conflict resolution vital – Keheliya

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The humanitarian operation launched by the government to liberate the country from the clutches of terrorism was entirely a means of conflict resolution but not a war, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. The minister was addressing delegates of the SAARC Information Centre conference on the role of the media in conflict resolution and peace building.

The event will continue until Saturday in Colombo with the participation of representatives of all seven SAARC members.

“The role of the media in terms of conflict resolution is highly vital in any nation. It was not an exception when it comes to the Sri Lankan context. In terms of the conflict, the Sri Lanka’s conflict was the most ruthless conflict in not only SAARC countries but also in the world,” he said.

The minister highlighted the importance of grouping up with others and acting together to mitigate most issues .

“This however does not mean one should interfere unnecessarily in the others’ affairs. As long as you group up, you work on a multilateral basis, helping each other but you do not have rights to interfere with issues of others,” Rambukwella said.

The minister said he was told by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2006 that the government had decided to end LTTE terrorism.

Rambukwella said the President prevailed on him on the necessity of obtaining media support to achieve this goal.

“The government has clearly understood that the media plays a pivotal role in conflict resolution. On the directive of the President the Media Center for National Security was established under him (Minister Rambukwella).

He said at the very beginning the Media Centre did not have enough human or physical resources. “But activities of the Media Centre was carried out more systematically.”

Mass Media and Information Ministry Secretary Charitha Herath, Director General of the Information Department Professor Ariyarathne Atugala, Foreign Ministry Director General RD Rajapaksa and SAARC Information Centre Director Lakshmi Bilas Koirala also participated.