The Minister was addressing the Provincial Journalists at a Seminar held at the Jaffna District Secretary's Office, today (11).

The Seminar was organized by the Government Information Department to create awareness among media personnel on government's development programmes.

The Minister further said that media personnel are duty bound to report credible reports. But, today some media organizations report incorrect reports whereas the truth is quite evident. He said that it is quite possible to get the people to participate in government's development programmes by imparting information based on the actual position.

Northern Province Governor Major General G.A.Chandrasiri said that fulfilling a vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Jaffna District has been developed within a period of 5 years. thanks to His Excellency the President, within a period of five years after eliminating terrorism, we see a vast development in the Province, a very peaceful environment. He said that the fund allocated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the development of Northern Province during the period from May 2009 up to date is much more than the fund allocated to this Region during the entire period since independence.

The Governor while appreciating the role played by the media to transform public thoughts that contributed to carry out these development programs in an effective manner, said he looks forward to their cooperation in future activities too.

The Director General of the Government Information speaking at the seminar said that the department has made arrangements to hold seminars of this nature in all districts throughout the island. The objective is to strengthen the relationship between development and media as well as cooperation between individuals. Holding the seminar in the Jaffna district is very important said Prof.Athugala and pointed out that what is most important is to share brotherhood, culture and religious coexistence among communities through the media.

Prof.Athugala further said it is quite obvious that Jaffna is been developed in par with Colombo. The transformation and unprecedented development that has taken place in Jaffna and the entire Northern Province during the last five years is admirable. It is the responsibility of the media to highlight peace, brotherhood, coexistence and progresses rather than of crimes, suicides and of things that are detrimental to the society, highlighted Prof.Athugala.

District Secretary of Jaffna District S.Arumainayagam also spoke about Development programmes in the Jaffna District and their progress.

Government Information Department's Director (Media) Wasanthapriya Ramanayake said that peace and coexistance among communities is very important for Jaffna District's development and it is happy to note the development that has taken place in the Jaffna District.

A special lecture on the Role of Media in bringing awareness among public on development programs was delivered by S.Raguram, Senior Lecturer, Department of Languages and Communication Studies of the Trincomalee Campus.

Monitoring MP, Ministry of Mass Media and Communication A.H.M.Azwar, Deputy Director A.Hilmi Mohammad also spoke at the seminar.

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