Oct 29, Colombo: Sri Lankan government publishing a new Gazette notification has changed the national media regulations relevant to private television channels.

The new regulations published in a recent Gazette notification replacing the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Act No 06 of 1982 will enable the government to control the content telecast in all private electronic media.

Minister of Mass Media, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said: “the new regulations are approved by the Attorney General and if any institution or a person is finding fault, can be brought to the Supreme Court. All licenses given to private television channels are temporary permits and can be taken away at any time as and pleased by the Government.”

According to the new rules a license can be revoked for broadcasting programs which are detrimental to the interests of national security, inciting a breakdown in public order, inciting ethnic, religious or cultural hatred, in violation of any laws of the country, morally offensive or indecent, detrimental to the rights and privileges of children, and in violation of the code of ethics, standards and practices.