Declaration on media's role in building Sri Lankan unity

COLOMBO: The role of the media in society is profound and manifold. Similarly, the building of unity among Sri Lankans is not only essential given the issues facing the Sri Lankan society but it is vital in securing a peaceful and prosperous future for our children.

Thus, media's role in building this future is clearly of great consequence, states a press release from the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity.

As part of Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity's (BMCNU) ongoing programmes to foster national unity and bring peace to Sri Lanka, the centre brought together leading media personalities, journalists and intellectuals in the fields of media and journalism to discuss "Media's Role in Building Sri Lankan Unity" at a two-day workshop held at the Berberyn Beach Resort, Weligama from September 9 to 10.

The Seminar was inaugurated by Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and United National Party Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya MP.

The seminar, despite being held at a location several hours drive from Colombo, attracted perhaps an unprecedented diversity of journalists representing all forms and languages of Sri Lankan media.

From the veteran to the young, from print to electronic, representatives of a wide range of media institutions and freelance journalists gathered in Weligama for this timely cause.

A panel of highly-respected experts drawn from various universities in Sri Lanka conducted the working groups that touched on key topics under the theme of "Media's Role in Building Sri Lankan Unity".

At the concluding session of final day, this momentous document was passed unanimously by the participants, formerly recognising it as the Weligama declaration.

Subsequently, the Weligama Declaration was presented to and signed by all the nine recognised media and journalism organisations in Sri Lanka. Indeed an historic achievement, made possible by Sri Lankan journalists and media personnel committed to building Sri Lankan Unity.

The launch of the declaration is scheduled to be held on October 18 at the BMICH at 10.30 a.m., with Media and Information Minister and the United National Party Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya and with the participation of religious leaders, civil society personalities, corporate leaders and representatives of the international community.