Media Minister warns Rupavahini heading for bankruptcy

The Minister of Mass Media (Non-Cabinet) Ruwan Wijewardena today warned that state television Rupavahini is heading towards bankruptcy.

Speaking to reporters today, Wijewardena said that Rupavahini has been running at a loss since 2014 and the situation aggravated in 2018.

He said that he made several attempts to change the top management of Rupavahini but those attempts were blocked by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Minister said that unions and employees at Rupavahini had urged him to change the management of the television station in order to restructure the organisation and make it more profitable.

Wijewardena said that among the names he proposed to be appointed as chairman of Sri Lanka Rupavahini were Sudarshana Gunawardana and Shan Wijetunga but both nominations were rejected by the President.

A gazette notification issued this week brought the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) under the purview of the Ministry of Defence which is headed by President Maithripala Sirisena.

The move came as the Elections Commission prepares to call for Presidential elections.

Wijewardena said he is certain the move by the President to bring Rupavahini under his purview was with elections in mind.

The Minister of Mass Media also insisted that he has no intention of resigning from his post as a result of the decision taken by the President. (Colombo Gazette)