Cabinet moves to strengthen State media through strategic realignment and modernisation

Thursday, 12 June 2025 04:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In a move to enhance the performance and relevance of State-owned media institutions, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved key proposals to boost operational efficiency, preserving institutional identities and modernising outdated broadcasting infrastructure.

Accordingly, the Government has decided to continue operating the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) as two independent entities, scrapping earlier plans to merge them into a single State media company.

The decision comes after a detailed review of the merger proposal, initially approved in principle in November 2023.

“It was found that the anticipated synergies could not be achieved due to significant operational differences between the SLBC and SLRC,” Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

He cited technological disparities, spatial and infrastructure requirements, and geographical spread of transmission facilities as key challenges in merging the two entities.

“Both the SLBC and SLRC will now implement strategic business plans designed to improve revenue generation and operational efficiency, while retaining their distinct identities,” he added.

In a separate but related move, the Cabinet of Ministers also approved to allocate provisions for supplying essential appliances for the Independent Television Network (ITN) on priority basis from the Budget 2026, so that subscriber attraction can be enhanced and broadcasting can be continued without disruption.

“As Sri Lanka’s first-ever television broadcaster, ITN had the 100% share rights to the General Treasury. However, due to lack of modern production tools and capacity, it hindered its ability to create compelling, high quality content in a competitive media landscape,” he explained.

The proposal to this effect, submitted by Mass Media Minister Dr. Jayatissa, was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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