Education is an investment for the future and the knowledge gained through education should be used for the welfare of the future generation. This country was in a great turmoil in the recent past and it has been liberated by our gallant war heroes who were the sons and daughters of the workers, farmers, teachers and other toiling masses of the rural community.
This was stated by the Minister of Mass Media and Information Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella participating in a function held today at the auditorium of the Ministry of Mass Media and Information in connection with awarding of 71 “Asi Disi Media Scholarships for 2011”.
The Minister further said that in the recent past many people of this country lost complete confidence on the future and sent their children to foreign countries spending all their wealth and even some Mahanayakes were advocating for settlement of the issues with the terrorists under whatever basis. This situation has now been completely changed due to the strong and determined leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Speaking about the Media and Media Personnel, the Minister said that the media personnel are performing a great service to uphold the image of the country and counter the disinformation being spread by anti-national elements and emphasised that it is vital to recognize the media personnel as a group of Professionals. He said that the Organisation of Professionals in the country are averse to recognise media personnel as professionals and he has discussed this matter with many veteran journalists and is making every effort to get media personnel recognised as professionals. He said it has become necessary to have a criterion for this recognition and these scholarships could be considered as a stepping stone on this path.
Mr. Rambukwella further said that Sri Lanka is only second to Japan technologically and knowledge-wise with 93% literacy rate and the knowledge should be utilized for moving the country forward. He said that the media personnel has a great role to play in taking the country forward as there had been no revolution in the world for the good or bad without the active participation of media personnel.
Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Mr. W.B.Ganegala speaking at this function said that the number of scholarships given for the year 2011 has been increased to 71 from last year’s number of 18 scholarships and the 2011 scholarships have been given to media personnel attached to almost all media institutions in the country as well as for free lance journalists. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Mahinda Chintana submitted as a policy document in 2005 prior to the Presidential Election promised to professionally strengthen the media personnel with knowledge and training. Accordingly since 2006 about 90% of the promises given to media personnel have been fulfilled. He said that the Mahinda Chintana – Future Vision also paid more attention to improve and strengthen the media personnel and the media sector.
Mr. Ganegala said that although Rs. 5 Million was requested, President due to his great adoration of the media sector and media personnel, and due to his concern for improving the sector with knowledge and other facilities, has allocated Rs. 50 Million in the 2011 budget. He said the 71 scholarships awarded today are up to a maximum of Rs. 100,000 and it is happy to note that the recipients included 2 media personnel who intend to write for their PhDs and some other who intend to write for Degree Courses.
The Secretary reminded the scholarship recipients that it is the public money that is being distributed to them and said that it is their duty and responsibility to work for protecting the interest of the country with a dedicated national spirit at a time where various internal and external forces are making many attempts to destabilise this country. He said that still the media personnel can apply for the scholarships and requested the media personnel who attended the function to convey this message to colleagues and make them submit their applications.
The Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mr. Sujan Nanayakkara, and the Senior Asst. Secretary to the Ministry Mr. D.D.Waniganayake also addressed the function.
The Minister further said that in the recent past many people of this country lost complete confidence on the future and sent their children to foreign countries spending all their wealth and even some Mahanayakes were advocating for settlement of the issues with the terrorists under whatever basis. This situation has now been completely changed due to the strong and determined leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Speaking about the Media and Media Personnel, the Minister said that the media personnel are performing a great service to uphold the image of the country and counter the disinformation being spread by anti-national elements and emphasised that it is vital to recognize the media personnel as a group of Professionals. He said that the Organisation of Professionals in the country are averse to recognise media personnel as professionals and he has discussed this matter with many veteran journalists and is making every effort to get media personnel recognised as professionals. He said it has become necessary to have a criterion for this recognition and these scholarships could be considered as a stepping stone on this path.
Mr. Rambukwella further said that Sri Lanka is only second to Japan technologically and knowledge-wise with 93% literacy rate and the knowledge should be utilized for moving the country forward. He said that the media personnel has a great role to play in taking the country forward as there had been no revolution in the world for the good or bad without the active participation of media personnel.
Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information Mr. W.B.Ganegala speaking at this function said that the number of scholarships given for the year 2011 has been increased to 71 from last year’s number of 18 scholarships and the 2011 scholarships have been given to media personnel attached to almost all media institutions in the country as well as for free lance journalists. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Mahinda Chintana submitted as a policy document in 2005 prior to the Presidential Election promised to professionally strengthen the media personnel with knowledge and training. Accordingly since 2006 about 90% of the promises given to media personnel have been fulfilled. He said that the Mahinda Chintana – Future Vision also paid more attention to improve and strengthen the media personnel and the media sector.
Mr. Ganegala said that although Rs. 5 Million was requested, President due to his great adoration of the media sector and media personnel, and due to his concern for improving the sector with knowledge and other facilities, has allocated Rs. 50 Million in the 2011 budget. He said the 71 scholarships awarded today are up to a maximum of Rs. 100,000 and it is happy to note that the recipients included 2 media personnel who intend to write for their PhDs and some other who intend to write for Degree Courses.
The Secretary reminded the scholarship recipients that it is the public money that is being distributed to them and said that it is their duty and responsibility to work for protecting the interest of the country with a dedicated national spirit at a time where various internal and external forces are making many attempts to destabilise this country. He said that still the media personnel can apply for the scholarships and requested the media personnel who attended the function to convey this message to colleagues and make them submit their applications.
The Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mr. Sujan Nanayakkara, and the Senior Asst. Secretary to the Ministry Mr. D.D.Waniganayake also addressed the function.
0 comments:
Post a Comment