It is the operation of such media institutions promoting different interests that they think are conducive to the country s interests that makes the freedom of expression meaningful. Ensure complete freedom Today is world Press Freedom Day. It is an extremely vital conference. Freedom of the press, local and foreign developments and tendencies influencing press freedom and posing challenges, code of ethics, commission on press complaints, amendments to laws affecting press freedom, transparency, economics of press freedom, cost of printing paper, profits and losses and salaries of those in the advertising field are some of the important subjects scheduled to be discussed at this conference. Indirect obstructions to collecting information and free expression of thought are many and varied in Sri Lanka.
State media are partial and less independent.
Limits and obstruction to press freedom in Sri Lanka also come in the form of laws. The Public Security Act, Official Secrets Act, Press Councils Act and Defamation laws are some of them. These should be removed and a complete freedom of the press with responsibility should be enshrined. Nurture local industry Politicians and trade unionists were eloquent on the May Day with usual rhetoric describing the promised land of happiness and contentment to workers. But the reality of the ground situation is diametrically opposed to what is being promised.