The media has to play a vital role in promoting corruption free society, said Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka.

He was addressing the Certificates Awarding Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Media Training Institute at the Government Information Department yesterday. Minister Karunatillaka also said that having professional training is important to a journalist to pass correct information to the public.

"The demand for journalists has seen an increase in our society since journalism is a dignified profession," the minister said.

Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Deputy Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana said the Ministry plans to upgrade the Sri Lanka Media Training Institute as the Government Institution which provides National Professional Qualification on Mass Media.

“It is difficult to decide between the professional journalists in countries like ours. Though the concept of professional journalism is controversial, most developed countries have taken measures to promote professional journalism,” the Deputy Minister said. He also added that the absence of a regulatory mechanism for the electronic media has become an issue.

The Deputy Minister said that the Right to Information Bill will be placed in the Order Paper for the Second Reading in Parliament on June 23.

Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Ministry Secretary Nimal Bopage and Sri Lanka Media Training Institute Chairman Dharmasena Pathiraja also spoke.