25th World Congress Speech

Published on: 27 Nov 2006

Dear Colleagues,


I bring good wishes from all our colleagues in the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions or better known as the FMETU. It is an honour to be present here at the 25th World Congress and represent our country, Sri Lanka.


The FMETU is the largest media organisation in Sri Lanka which represents both journalists and media workers in the Private and State media institutions which include Television, radio and the print media.


The FMETU thanks the IFJ for all their support given to strengthen Trade Union activities in Sri Lanka during the past three years. We also appreciate the IFJ’s efforts rendered to strengthen unity between media organisations in the country. But since these organisations have not developed in trade unionism, it has not been very much of a success. However we are collectively working towards meeting this goal in the near future.


Since Sri Lanka is a multi national and multi cultural community, journalists in Sri Lanka have also grouped themselves into Sinhala, Tamil and English languages lobbies. The FMETU, has to a certain extent, been able to bridge this gap.


The move by the IFJ to hold the Journalism for Tolerance Prize and the educational programme conducted by the IFJ on Conflict Reporting helped the journalist in Sri Lanka to a great extent. As you know the journalists in Sri Lanka have to play a very important role at this point of time to bring about lasting peace to the country.


At the same time we need to enhance our technology and improve our English language skills. So we appeal to all the organisations which have the resources to meet our needs to assists us through the IFJ.


I once again thank the General Secretary Aidan White and President of the IFJ, Chris Warren and all our colleagues present here on behalf of the FMETU.