In the backdrop of media freedom being ensured by the new Government, the responsibility of the media is to not to isolate the Government politically, said President Maithripala Sirisena.

He made these observations participating at the 60th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Press Association held at the BMICH yesterday (09).

When the Government ensures the freedom of the press the duty of a journalist is to write the truth without giving extremist elements any space to achieve narrow objectives, the President further said.

The President emphasized here that the new Government is fully committed to ensure the media freedom and freedom of this country. He further said that the new Government has put an end to the era of telephoning the editors to put headlines in main newspapers.

President Sirisena recalled that as a Minister, he also faced unpleasant, unethical experiences such as political leaders giving telephone calls to write against their own Ministers in the Cabinet.

He further said that even though criticism and the dialogue are important for the good governance, it is necessary to ensure the professional standards of high quality of media and its ethics.

The President thanked the journalists and media institutions for acting prudently when some extremist elements trying to diminish the victory of the government at the UNHCR .

President Maithripala Sirisena presented awards for ten Senior Journalists at the event.

A portrait of President drawn by a senior artist Thilak Kalu Liyanage, at the venue presented to the President as a souvenir.

Minister of Mass Media – Gayantha Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister- Karunarathna Paranavithana, the President of Sri Lanka Press Association-Muditha Kariyakarawana, Upul Janaka Jayasinghe- National Organizer , members of the Sri Lanka Press Association and a group of Indian journalists participated in the event.