People should be adequately enlightened of development activities – Media Minister

People have not been adequately enlightened about the massive development projects being implemented throughout the country and the benefits being accrued by the people from these development initiatives.

This was stated by the Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella addressing the ministry progress review meeting held at his Ministry yesterday.

The Minister said that a continuous propaganda campaign should be carried out through the media to enlighten the people about the development activities being launched by the government.

Also he stated that the next two years can be described as election years, since several elections are due to be held during this period.  He said that steps should be taken to adequately enlighten the people about the progressive measures and development activities being initiated by the government through the country and said that already there are allegations 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 will be created within the next three years and called for the unstinted support and co-operation of all heads of institutions of the Ministry to implement it in line with government policy.

He also said that he is fully aware of the role being played by the new Ministry Secretary and the heads of institutions and said that he would create a situation where heads of institutions could perform their duties independently. Yesterday’s meeting was the first progression meeting attended by new Ministry Secretary Dr. CharithaHerath.

Monitoring MP of Mass Media and Information Ministry Manusha Nanayakkara, the Director General of Government Information Porfessor Ariyarathne Athugala and heads of media institutions attended the meeting. (niz).