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Don’t protect corrupt politicians and sing their praises, President Sirisena tells journalists
Journalists have a far more important role to play than politicians or govt. officials in ensuring a better tomorrow, President Maithripala Sirisena observed.
Speaking at the issue of a commemorative stamp in honour of the late veteran journalist and editor D.B. Dhanapala, President Sirisena asked journalists not to protect corrupt politicians and sing their praises for personal gain. He, however, also noted that there have been occasions in the past where certain journalists had “fallen into the pockets of corrupt politicians.”
President Sirisena handing over the first day cover to Dr. Dhanushka Meegahawatte, grandson of D.B. Dhanapala. Pic by Gayan Amarasekera
Mr. Dhanapala was instrumental in helping engineer a political, economic and social revolution that took place under the leadership of S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike in 1956, he said. The President asked journalists to take inspiration from Mr. Dhanapala, whose fearlessness, dedication and leadership in the journalism field helped cement the social revolution of that age.
President Sirisena also reminisced his time as a journalist at Lake House from 1970-1977. He said however he was interested in journalism even while he was schooling, adding that he was recruited as a correspondent for the “Mihira” children’s newspaper while he was a Grade 7-8 student at Polonnaruwa Royal College.
“From 1970-1977, I worked as the Polonnaruwa Correspondent for the Lake House group. After 1977, I went to work for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) “Dinakara” Newspaper started by Rathna Deshapriya Senanayake,” he told the gathering.
Journalists must strive to always make the right choice, respect the truth and use their pens for the advancement of social justice, he remarked.
“It is my hope that all journalists in this country would gain the strength and determination to succeed in this endeavour,” the president said.