The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL), the state newspapers company, has disbanded its new media operation, Asian Mirror learns.

All journalists attached to the new media department have been transferred to other departments and the equipment given to them have been taken over by the management.

Multiple sources from the company confirmed that transfer letters have been served to all employees of the department, against their will. 

The exact reason for the closure of the department is still not clear. The department has been in operation for nearly four years and was set up under the guidance of Kavan Ratnayaka, former Chairman of Lake House.

The decision comes seven weeks after the outbreak of the political crisis which changed the management of the state-run newspaper company. 

Just days after the purported government took office, Wasantha Priya Ramanayake was appointed the new Chairman of Lake House .