Is the Press Association ‘Exclusive’?

Ven. Udakendawala Siri Saranankara Thera

On February 08 this year, the Sri Lanka Press Association  (SLPA) celebrated its 67th Anniversary at the Sri Lanka Foundation  Institute. Former senior journalist and the present Media Minister  Dullas Alahapperuma graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Dr  Punchinilame Meegaswatte – former Secretary-General of the Sri Lanka  National Commission for UNESCO was the Guest of Honour.   

With this year’s commemoration of the founding of the SLPA  taking place under a shadow of UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka inquiring  into gross violations of human rights and violations of international  humanitarian law in our country and at a time when violence against  journalists and press freedoms are increasingly coming under attack from  ‘unknown sources’, it was hoped the Minister would enlighten the  journalistic fraternity and the public on steps the Government was  taking to secure journalistic freedom. Sadly this did not happen.   
The 67th Anniversary of the SLPA commemorated the setting  up of Sri Lanka’s first press association in what was then Ceylon. For  67 long years, the SLPA has functioned as an independent body and has  transitioned Governments of different shades and hues and diverse  ideologies.   

The anniversary of the association also takes place at a  time when the ugly head of nationalism based on language and religion is  raising its head in the country.   
Despite the tumultuous events taking place since its  founding, including three violent attempts to overthrow the elected  Governments of the country, from -1962 attempted coup d’état, two JVP  uprisings of 1971 and 1989 and the war with the separatist LTTE which  dragged on for around three decades, the SLPA faced the challenges with  aplomb.   
Even during these difficult times, the organisation  continued to function, organising educational programmes on journalistic  ethics, helping to improve connectivity between journalists in the  country, in addition to introducing a course in journalism in  association with the University of Colombo. 

 
Today this programme has developed into a degree course in  journalism. The organisation is in the process of helping to develop a  course for a post-graduate degree course. The association has also been  able to offer succour to some of the members who faced pressure from  different sources.   
The SLPA was founded by Ven. Udakendawala Siri Saranankara  Thera, a Buddhist monk with Leftist leanings. He was also the winner of  the Lenin Peace Award in 1955.   
Ven. Saranankara Thera was at the time, editor of the  Nawalokaya magazine and it was his initiative that led to the formation  of the island’s first press association, which was initially named the  Ceylon Branch of the International Organisation of Journalists (IOJ).   

Though originally having a membership of a mere nine  members in the country, internationally the organisation was able to  play an influential role especially in helping formulate education  programmes for journalists and forming a network of journalists both  in-country as well as internationally.   
Within two years of its formation, the organisation which  commenced functioning with just nine members had grown to include in its  fold, journalists from all major newspapers and magazines in the  country including the Lake House group of newspapers than the largest  newspaper group on the island.   
The late D. F. Kariyakarawana - Chief Sub Editor of the Dinamina  and member of the SLPA was one among a group of three journalists  representing the SLPA, who were selected to visit London at the  invitation of the British Government in 1957. 

"A single shortcoming was noticed -the absence of  Tamil/Muslim inclusivity in the event"

Kariyakarawana during his stay in London was deeply  influenced by the activities of the British Press Association and its  role in the formation of journalists in that country.   
On his return to Ceylon -on the occasion of the second  anniversary of the organisation- he played an important role in changing  the name of the organisation from the Ceylon Branch of the  International Organisation of Journalists to its present name -the Lanka  Press Association- which was converted to Sri Lanka Press Association  (SLPA) in 1972 when then Ceylon was proclaimed a Republic.   
The aims of the SLPA were based on the principles of the British model. 

It was also at that anniversary meeting, the concept of  three Presidents representing the English, Sinhalese and Tamil media was  conceptualised.   
The SLPA and its then President D. F. Kariyakarawana was also instrumental in forming its trade union wing Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) subsequently.   
Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association was established  on October 9, 1979. Journalists working in the print and electronic  media, who met at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on that day,  elected staff and marked the beginning of the SLWJA.   
Mr D. F. Kariyakarawana was elected President, Mr Newton  Seneviratne was elected Secretary and Mr R. Sivagurunathan was elected  as the Treasurer of the Association.   
A feature of Tuesday’s (8 February) event highlighted a  painstakingly researched and choreographed history of the organisation.  The organisers need to be congratulated for a superb job of work.   

SLPA top office bearers with the awards recipients and the Minister of Mass Media.  

However, a single shortcoming was noticed -the absence  of Tamil/Muslim inclusivity in the event. It gave an appearance of  Sinhala exclusivity. A serious lapse which this writer feels sure will  be addressed at next year’s celebrations. 
The anniversary celebrations got underway when  journalist-turned-politician and present Media Minister Alahapperuma was  ushered into the hall with a bevvy of Kandyan dancers leading the Chief  Guest and Guest of Honour to the hall. This was followed by the  lighting of the traditional oil lamp and recognition of the services  rendered by five leading journalists namely Sunil Daya Alwis, Arthur U.  Amarasena, Ms Chandrika Wijesuriya, Sarath Cooray and A. C. De Silva to  the field of journalism.   

Speaking at the event the minister was emphatic in his  praise for journalists and journalism but was critical of online  websites. He also spoke of various ways the Government tried to help the  journalistic fraternity.   
Journalists and invitees were hoping the Minister would  give some indication of how the Government would /could provide  journalists with some form of security to perform their duties without  fear or favour. 
Unfortunately, the problem has been left hanging fire. 

Yet, sadly and scarcely two weeks after the Minister graced  a journalist’s association commemorating its 67th anniversary,  journalists are once again becoming targets of attacks by ‘unknown’  agents.   
The Police seem supremely unable to identify or bring to  book the culprits. The public has begun believing the events were  orchestrated by hidden hands associated with the Government.   
Worryingly, the ‘white vans’ of old seem to be reappearing once again.  

Former Lankadeepa Associate Editor Chandrika Wijesundera receiving her award.

Late veteran journalist Sunil Daya Alwis’s daughter receiving the award.

Senior Sports Editor A. C. De Silva’s relative receiving the award. 

Senior Cinema Journalist Arthur U. Amarasena 

Veteran Editor Sarath Cooray