Sri Lanka’s state-owned media institutions face economic hardship

Sri Lanka’s state-owned media institutions are now facing a serious financial crisis making it difficult to pay even the salaries of employees.

All the heads of state media institutions have been informed in writing to submit a draft cabinet memorandum to obtain financial provision from the Treasury to pay salaries justifying their request with acceptable facts.

This letter has been sent by the Additional Secretary (Development Planning and Information) of the Media Ministry E.M.S.B. Jayasundera to the heads of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited and the Independent Television Network.

The following details should be included in the memorandum, Mr Jayasundera indicated: Business plan for the year 2022; present employment stricture and identification of the number of essential employees; retirement of employees and the introduction of Volunteer Retirement (VRS); identification of methodologies to maintain the service with the minimum number of employees; the monthly expenditure for salaries and other future measures to control expenditure. (Bandula)