Colombo: In what is described as a landmark initiative in Sri Lanka’s media history, electronic devices have been provided to a large number of Tamil and Muslim journalists representing several districts across the country.
The initiative, organized by the Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists’ Alliance, saw 65 journalists receive laptops and 25 journalists receive smartphones, with the total value of the equipment estimated at around Rs. 15 million.
The equipment was provided with the financial sponsorship of London-based businessman and philanthropist Seevaratnam Mures, at an event held on Sunday morning, the 16th, at a private hotel in Wellawatte, Colombo.
The event was held under the leadership of Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists’ Union President S. Srikajan and Secretary K. Jeyanthiran. It commenced with a traditional welcome dance performed by students of the Thiyagaraja College of Arts, under the direction of Nattiyak Kalai Mani Srimathi Bhavani Kugapriya.
Seevaratnam Mures attended the event as the chief guest.
In recognition of his contribution, he was honoured with a human-height floral garland, a ceremonial crown and a shawl. A special video featuring a poem appreciating his social service was also screened.
Addressing the gathering, Mures spoke emotionally about the hardships he experienced during his childhood and the struggles faced by his mother while raising him amid poverty.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including M. Senthilnathan, Chief Executive Officer of Express Newspapers (Private) Limited; veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Murasu, N. Vithyatharan; and Consultant Physician at the Colombo National Hospital, Dr. T. Veerasuthan.
Former editors-in-chief, senior journalists and other media professionals also participated in the event. The initiative ultimately provided laptops and smartphones to 90 Tamil and Muslim journalists from various districts across Sri Lanka, representing a significant investment in strengthening journalists’ digital capacity. The programme is expected to support journalists in adapting to the rapidly changing digital media environment and enhance their ability to carry out reporting using modern communication technologies.