President pays glowing tribute to Edmund Ranasinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said all media should engage in a discussion on whether to enter into international agreements or work within the country’s legal framework. He said so at the felicitation ceremony to honour one of the most distinguished figures in Sri Lankan journalism, Edmund Ranasinghe, the founding Editor of ‘Divaina’ newspaper and former Editorial Director of Upali Newspapers. The event was held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (03).

The event marked the inauguration of a programme initiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to pay tribute to senior journalists who have made significant contributions to the field of journalism in the country.

During the ceremony, the book ‘Edmund’s Newspaper Revolution’, a compilation recognising Ranasinghe’s seven decades of dedication to the media at the age of 93, was also unveiled. This book was authored by Presidential Senior Adviser Prof. Sunanda Madduma Bandara and edited by Presidential Media Director W. M. K. Wijebandara and Deputy Media Director Deepti Adhikari.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe lauded veteran journalist Ranasinghe as a trailblazer who catalysed transformative changes in Sri Lankan journalism. He also highlighted Ranasinghe’s contributions to media, spanning seven decades, while playing a pivotal role in advancing Sri Lankan society, economy and politics.

President Wickremesinghe underscored the importance of exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance the field of media art to create more effective media outlets.

The presidential media division quoted President Wickrmesinghe as having said: “In 1977, when I initially ran for election in the Biyagama Constituency, I sought out a skilled journalist to write an article for me. My father promptly recommended Edmund Ranasinghe, who subsequently penned my first political article. I held onto it until last year, but regrettably, I no longer possess it.

“During my father’s tenure as the Chairman of Lake House, Mr. Ranasinghe served admirably as the Editor of newspapers such as Silumina and Dinamina. Piyasena Nissanka and M.A. Silva, along with Martin Wickramasinghe, received recognition from senior journalists and writers. Consequently, Mr. Ranasinghe possesses substantial experience in both the media landscape that existed before independence and the one that emerged thereafter.

“In 1953, when rice prices surged, Mr. Dudley Senanayake was compelled to resign as Prime Minister. Sixty-nine years later, Gotabaya

“Rajapaksa faced a similar predicament over fuel shortages. Throughout these 69 years, Mr. Ranasinghe has amassed a wealth of experience, making him capable of writing a comprehensive book on the subject.

“Mr. Ranasinghe played a pivotal role in the press struggle of 1964 and his experiences undeniably left an indelible mark on the media culture of our nation. However, the landscape of print media is undergoing significant changes. Journalism, once reliant on lead type, has evolved to include tools like the iPad. The capacity to swiftly access knowledge, even within a venerable institution like the Lake House, has been realised through technological advancements.

“Consequently, technology has become an invaluable tool for advancing the field of journalism.

“Nevertheless, the media in any country must operate within the framework of its own laws. The advent of social media has led to a situation where some entities publish content according to their own whims, circumventing established regulations. This raises a crucial question: should there be a dialogue regarding whether all media, including social media, should adhere to international agreements or abide by their respective national laws? Often, many concur with European legislation. Currently, newspapers and journals worldwide are either changing ownership or considering transferring to investors. The future of media art will undoubtedly unfold in the coming two or three years and expertise in this domain may emerge not just from New York but also from Sri Lanka.”