The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka (TEGOSL) has withdrawn from a committee appointed by the Ministry of Mass Media to draft a National Media Policy, citing contradictory statements from ministry officials and a lack of clarity surrounding the initiative.
In a press release issued by TEGOSL Secretary Mohanlal Piyadasa on July 3, the Guild said it had informed the Ministry of its decision to step away from the committee’s deliberations. The move comes after what the Guild described as conflicting public statements by members of the committee and ministry representatives, which had raised questions about the genesis and purpose of the proposed policy.
“The Guild has withdrawn its participation in the committee’s deliberations following contradictory statements being made by officials of the Ministry, leading to a lack of clarity,” the release stated.
Despite the withdrawal, TEGOSL reaffirmed its position as a joint signatory to a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Press Institute to the Minister of Mass Media. The Guild also expressed its willingness to engage in discussions about an alternative to the Sri Lanka Press Council.
The Ministry has not yet issued a response to the Guild’s decision.