2026-02-17 / Oral Question: Government Media Institutions and Journalist Welfare

Hon. (Dr.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne - Deputy Minister of Mass Media

2026-02-17

Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne outlined several initiatives under the government's "A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life" policy framework aimed at developing Sri Lanka's media industry. She announced that a **Chartered Institute of Media Professionals Bill** has been drafted and is currently being finalised at the Legal Draftsman's Department, with gazetting expected soon; the institute would serve to protect journalists' rights and professional standards. She further indicated that journalist scholarships would continue in the current year, and that the government is exploring a **health insurance scheme** for media professionals—particularly regional journalists lacking social protection—to be funded through member contributions supplemented by a government contribution, with introduction anticipated within the year.

Our policy “A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life” pledges “a free media industry – an equitable information society.” Sri Lanka lacks a developed media industry. A Chartered Institute of Media Professionals Bill has been drafted, cleared by the relevant department, and is being finalised at the Legal Draftsman’s Department. We hope to gazette it soon. It will create a professional body to safeguard rights and professionalism. We will continue scholarships for journalists this year. We are also considering a health insurance scheme—especially for regional journalists lacking social protection—funded by small member contributions with a Government contribution. Discussions are underway; we hope to introduce it this year, along with other welfare measures. Most importantly, we will establish the Chartered Institute for media professionals.