In a session of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Mass Media, it was revealed that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) are grappling with continued financial losses. The disclosure emerged during the committee meeting held in Parliament on Thursday, chaired by Minister of Transport and Highways and Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.

Chairing the session, Dr. Gunawardana presented statistics dating back to 2015, shedding light on the persistent financial challenges faced by the two media entities. According to the parliamentary statement released by the Communications Department, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation reported a loss of 277 million rupees in the year 2023, while the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation incurred a loss of 457 million rupees during the same period.

Expressing concern over the financial strain and the difficulties in securing funds from the Treasury for these channels, Dr. Gunawardana proposed a transformation plan. The Chair suggested converting both the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation into a public company, signaling a strategic move to address the ongoing financial struggles.

Furthermore, Dr. Gunawardana disclosed that Cabinet Ministers have collectively decided to establish a committee tasked with taking further action on the proposed transformation. The move reflects a comprehensive effort to reevaluate the operational and financial structures of these media entities, aiming for sustainable solutions that align with the evolving landscape of mass media in Sri Lanka.