Sri Lanka Public Service Journalism Awards 2007
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
The Public Service Journalism Awards 2007 was much-awaited event among the provincial journalists in Sri Lanka. The glamorous event was held on November 16 th 2007 at the Galle Face Hotel.
Last year 521 applications were received for the awards. There were 748 applications received for this year’s awards. Applications were received from all nine provinces - North, East, West, South, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, North Western, and North Central.
Apart from Public Service Journalism Awards, awards were also presented for tolerance. Awards for tolerance were presented for the first time in Sri Lanka. Public Service Journalism Awards ceremony is a landmark event in the history of Sri Lankan media. The initiative is appreciated by the journalists, and activists, which encourages the provincial journalists.
Seremdi Adi troupe was introduced at the event to understand and respect ethnic diversity. Cartoon depicting media freedom which appeared in Sinhala, Tamil and English were hanged at the venue, and caught the attention of the attendees.
The event was organized by the Centre for Policy Alternatives with the support of the Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Trade Union, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum with the collaboration of International Federation of Journalists.
The Public Service Journalism Awards was inaugurated in 2006.
Candles werelit and a minute silence was observed to pay tribute to the colleagues who have paid the price for journalism
The awards night began with the beat of the drums
Near a sign directing towards Jaffna, A civilian: “Oh no, it looks like the war has erupted”
Another civilian: “Dont you know; it’s Journalists from Colombo proceeding”
This cartoon appeared on Thinakkural newspaper on 24th June 2006, which was displayed at the awards venue
N. Parameshwaran, journalist from Jaffna received his award from the Editor of Maubima newspaper Kuruvita Banda. He was awarded the first place in Public Journalism for writing a piece on the shortage of milk powder in Jaffna peninsula.
C.Ranasinghe, Medigiriya provincial journalists of Lankadeepa received his award from the News Editor of Sunday Thinakkural R. Bharathy
The Public Service Journalism Awards Ceremony is held to encourage the provincial journalists
The winner of Western Province B. L. D. Nandasiri, Moratuw area journalist of Lakbima received his award from the Director of Sri Lanka Press Institute Ranga Kalansooriya
Media personnels covering the event
Ajith Vasantha Yapa, journalist of Uva Community Radio, received his award from the Chief Editor of Young Asia Television Mrs. Sharmini Boyle
Comedy item by Wijaya Nandasiri and Rodney Warnakula
“The journalists in Sri Lanka are still courageous amidst the current situation in the country” commended a Western journalist recently
“Journalists outside Colombo are at greatest risk as violence escalates. They have less security and are more vulnerable to violence from all sides. On top of this they receive less support, resources and pay from their employers”, said Jacqueline Park, Director, Asia-Pacific, International Federation of Journalists - speaking at today’s event.
V. T. Sagathevarajah, Amapara area journalist of Virakesari received his award from the Editor of the Sunday Virakesari P.Devaraj
Ranjith Jayasundara, Vavuniya area journalist of the Lankadeepa received his award for tolerance in Northern Province from the Chairperson of the Neelan Thiruchelavam Trust Mrs. Sithy Thiruchelvam
Audeince at the event
Radhika Devakumar, journalist from Pirai FM in Batticaloa received her award from the Consultant of Centre for Policy Alternatives Dr.Devanesan Nesaiah. She was awarded National Tolenrance Prize. She was also awarded an award for tolerance in Easterne Province
Seremdi Adi troupe performed and African fusion. Their forefathers were from Africa, and the current generation is living in North Western Province
The National Winner of thrr Publci Service Journalism 2007 was Premalal Wijesinghe of the Kandurata Radio. He received his award from International Federation of Journalists Asia Pacific Director Jacquie Park
Public Service Journalism promotes journalists who strive to adhere public service values in their journalistic practice
National Winner of the Public Service Journalism Awrads 2007 Premalal Wijesinghe of the Kandurata Radio was greeted by the convener of the Free Media Movement Sunanda Deshapriya
Group photo of the winners
Journalists in Sri Lanka have united and decided to voice together against the suppression of media freedom
PSJ PROVINCIAL WINNERS
UVA
1 Ajith Wasantha Epa
2 Samarakoon Bandara
3 Sujeewa I.Kumari
Central
1 Premalal Wijesinghe
2 Nimal Bogahawatta
3 Asela Kuruluwansa
North Central
1 C.Ranasinghe
2 Sarath Manula Wickrama
3 Karunaratne Gamage
Western
1 B.L.D.Nandasiri
2 Vineetha Manel Gamage
3 S.Madawala
Sourthern
1 Sajeewa Wijeweera
2 S.A.R.Mathangaweera
3 Lalith Chaminda
North Western
1 Sunil S.Pellandeniya
2 Sunil Kahagalla
3 Hiran Priyankara
Sabaragamuwa
1 N.H.Piyasena
2 Nimal Abeysinghe
3 U.R.A.Bandara
Northern
1 N.Parameshwaran
2 Suneetha Gamage
3 N.Nawaratnerasa
Eastern
1 Thilak Alahakoon
2 V.R.Sagadevarajah
3 Mangalanath Liyanarachchi
PSJ TOLERANCE WINNERS
UVA -
Central - Premalal Wijesinghe
North Central - Sarath Manulawickrama
Western -
Southern - Dhammika Ranaweera
North Western - Sunil Kahagalla
Sabaragamuwa -
Northern - Ranjith Jayasundara
Eastern - Radhika Devakumar
PSJ & TOLERANCE NATIONAL WINNERS
PSJ
1 Premalal Wijesinghe
2 Thilak Alahakoon
3 Sunil Pellandeniya
TOLERANCE
Radhika Devakumar
Related:
o Jury Report: Jury Report of Public Service Journalism 2007
o Full Text: Speech by Jacqueline Park, Director, Asia-Pacific, International Federation of Journalists, Colombo, Sri Lanka
o Full Text: Speech by Dr.Devanesan Nesiah
o Welcome Speech: By Sunanda Deshapriya, Convener of the Free Media Movement
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[HumanityAshore.org]
Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com
November 22nd, 2007