Empowering Local Media

Internews has been working in Sri Lanka since 2005, providing information services to vulnerable communities and delivering training to both established journalists and young trainees. Internews works closely with local organisations and the Government to harness the power of media and information to help people develop a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.

Ampara Media House faciliates discussion on Constitutional changes in Sri Lanka

A  forum Discussion in  the Sinhala medium on  “Constitutional changes in Sri Lanka,  Fundamental rights and human rights”,   was  held on 11th of July 2010 at Ampara Media House.

22 opinion leaders including journalists, Local political party leaders and educationists participated. . Mr. Chandrasiri, Co-ordinatior of Ampara District Human Rights Commission was the main resource  persons. The forum was facilitated and moderated by  the Media house Director, Mr Shadath.

Mr. Chandrasiri flagged off the discussion by examining the exiting provisions and Articles on the constitution in relation to  fundamental rights   and  highlighted the challenges in  implementation.

Thereafter a  30 minutes radio programme was  played, elaborating on the issue  and  examining further the implications  of ongoing discussions  on constitutional changes / reform and rights of the people to participate in the constitutional  changing or reform process. Most of the participants  urged the government and opposition to ensure a  transparent process of constitutional change and not to return to the previous bad practice of changing constitution without the knowledge of the citizens.

Three segments of radio programmes  were aired as a result of  the out come of this discussion. The programmes  disseminates  the information what was gathered   through the forum discussion.

The  participants concluded  that the  process of consultation on  constitutional reform should be taken  to the grass root level people and media should play a catalytic role in this process.