Transport, Highways, and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana yesterday emphasized the need for the Lake House Media Academy to foster culturally enriching debates and nurture professional journalists.
He urged the academy to steer away from using media as a tool for spreading hatred and creating chaos in the country. The Minister was Speaking at the first Diploma Awards Ceremony of the Lake House Media Academy at BMICH yesterday.
ANCL Chairman Prof. Harendra Kariyawasam speaking on the occasion highlighted ongoing discussions with the University Grants Commission (UGC) that could mark a significant transformation in the media education landscape.
Prof. Harendra Kariyawasam revealed plans to elevate the Lake House Media Academy to the status of a premier Media University.“The Lake House Media Academy, now officially registered as a distinct private entity under ANCL (Lake House), has achieved substantial progress. The academy has successfully conducted numerous one-day workshops and established two diploma courses, with efforts underway to secure National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) levels for these courses, he said.
Crucially, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been formalised with esteemed institutions, including the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Sri Lanka Television Corporation and the Independent Television Network,” Prof. Kariyawasam added.
Along with the awarding of diplomas, the official website of Lake House Media Academy was also launched by Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana and a memento was presented to the Minister by Lake House Chairman Prof.Harendra Kariyawasam.
Mass Media Ministry Additional Secretary E.M.S.B Jayasundara, Director General of Government Information, Dinith Karunaratne, SLRC Chairman, Pasad Samarasinghe, and the Director Board of Lake House, Janaka Ranathunga, Manjula Makumbura,Sisira Paranatanthri and Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne were present.
Dinuli Francisco