Aug 09, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has decided to reduce the fees it charged for registering news web sites with the Ministry of Mass Media and Information.

The Cabinet of ministers has approved a proposal made by the Minister of Mass Media and Information, Keheliya Rambukwella to reduce the registration fee to Rs.25,000 and annual renewal fee to Rs.10,000 per website.

The change that will take effect retroactively from January 01, 2012 will be applicable to all websites, including the websites which are already registered with the Ministry of Mass Media and Information.

The Cabinet of Ministers last month approved amending the existing Sri Lanka Press Council Law of No 05 of 1973 to charge a registration fee of Rs.100,000 and annual renewal fee of Rs.50,000 for websites.