Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated that National Television Channel has now become a loss-making institution
The National Television Channel of Sri Lanka was established by Act No. 6 on 1982 of Parliament. National Television Channel officially commenced its broadcasting on February 15, 1982. This was a grant from the Japan to the people of Sri Lanka.
The Minister of Mass Media and Information stated that he hopes to develop the National Television Channel by preserving the national identity and introducing modern programs. Minister also added that he hopes to bring the revenue to a level where it can be settled by the end of the year.
Minister Rambukwella has stated that after the resumption of tax on foreign tele dramas and films telecasted through local media from February 2021 which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic a revenue of Rs. 251 million has been received thus far.
The Minister said that the attention will be paid on further increasing the amount of tax levied so as to preserve the local culture and local teledrama, art and industry and to encourage local artists to engage in it.
He was speaking at the Media Ministerial Consultative Committee meeting held in Parliament recently.
During the Covid epidemic, the government spends Rs. 22 million for month over telecasting 16 – hour educational programs for children in the country, but only Rs. 4 million would be received in return, he said, adding that the National Television Channel was fulfilling its responsibility for the betterment of children.
The Minister said that he was fulfilling the responsibility of his Ministry on behalf of 22 million people. He further stated that his ministry was focusing on regularizing the licensing process for TV channels and the registration process of all news websites currently in operation and amending the Press Council Act to make it applicable to all media as the Media Board Act.
-Shani-