July 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka stressed the necessity of a regulatory authority to monitor the activities of media institutions in the country.

Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said that the media institutions should act responsibly in reporting the country's development process as they have done during the fight against terrorism.

"A quality media culture should be created in the country, as there were instants where media institutions did their reporting neglecting common interests of the society in the recent past," he said.

The Sri Lankan government has come under criticism recently for attempting to suppress the media freedom by activating Press Council Act (PCA).

Sri Lanka's main media organizations have urged the government not to activate the Act which has powers to fine and imprison journalists. Media say the self-regulation, introduced six years ago, is effective.