Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyarathna on Tuesday (17) called on private media proprietors to ensure that journalists are paid their salaries on time, emphasising that their professional dignity must be protected.
Addressing Parliament, Ariyarathna said the Ministry of Mass Media had received a significant number of complaints regarding the non-payment of salaries to journalists employed in private media institutions. She urged owners to comply with labour laws and make payments without delay.
“As a mark of respect to journalists, the Director General of Government Information H.S.K.J. Bandara issued a letter to all private media institutions on 7 January 2026, reminding them of their obligations,” she told lawmakers.
Ariyarathna noted that while the ministry continues to receive complaints concerning private outlets, its authority to intervene remains limited, as such institutions operate under the Companies Act and are primarily governed by labour legislation.
She further stated that Sri Lanka currently has four State-owned media institutions: the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, the Independent Television Network, and the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited.
The Deputy Minister made the remarks in response to an oral question raised by Dharmapriya Dissanayake, Member of Parliament for the Kurunegala District representing the National People’s Power.
