31st March 2016 01:14:31 Hours
A programme to promote gestures of reconciliation, goodwill and understanding between North and South professional journalists under the theme, ‘Enna Ekata - Husma Ganna’ got underway in the Jaffna peninsula during March 24-27 as a novel project launched by the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media, titled ‘Thalpathai Panhindai’ on a proposal, mooted by Hon. Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka (MP) and his Ministry.
The group of Southern journalists, headed by Mr Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister Mr Karunarathne Paranavithana during the stay in Jaffna freely mingled with members of the Jaffna Press Club (JPC) and other independent Jaffna-based Media personnel before a delegation of both North and South journalists made a formal courtesy call on Major General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna (SFHQ-J) with the view to receiving an update on the roles and tasks of the SFHQ-J vis a vis security arrangements in the peninsula.
Major General Senanayake, flanked by a team of Army, Navy, Air Force and Police senior officers at the SFHQ-J conference hall exchanged views with the visiting North - South journalists and gave a patient hearing to their concerns and shortcomings they face while performing duties.
Minister, Deputy Minister, Secretaries and leading Jaffna editors and journalists interacted with the visiting members of the team and underlined the need to formulate a national Media policy which would in turn promote better relations in the industry for the greater benefit of the society and professional journalists serving island-wide.
Towards the end of the friendly meet, Major General Mahesh Senanayake presented symbolic mementos to the visiting Minister of Mass Media and the Deputy Minister of Mass Media.
