Journalists should write and respect the truth President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that journalists must always use their pen to write the truth and truth alone and need them to respect the truth.

He added that it is extremely unfortunate if journalists are resorting to praise politicians and protect their private benefits.

President Sirisena was speaking at a ceremony held yesterday (19) to issue a souvenir stamp in memory of the late senior journalist D. B. Dhanapala. The ceremony was held at the National Library and Documentation Services Board in Colombo.

“Journalists sometimes do not expose wrongdoers but there are instances where they engage in character assassination, insulting and mudslinging at some others even when they are doing the correct thing,” President Sirisena said.

‘The journalists have a responsibility to give correct, qualitative and valued information and news to the society for the betterment of the future generation,” President Sirisena stressed.

He appreciated the social service rendered by Senior Journalist, late D. B. Dhanapala.

The keynote address of this ceremony organized by the Sri Lanka Press Council was delivered by the former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Kelaniya, Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa. D. B. Dhanapala joined the field of media as an English medium journalist and he pioneered to create talented and creative media personnel as well as rendered a great service in the field of Sinhala journalism.

The first day cover of a commemorative stamp issued in honour of veteran journalist (late) Dhanapala was presented to President Sirisena and several senior journalists and to the grandson of D. B. Dhanapala, Dr. Dhanushka Meegahawaththa.

A number of senior journalists, Sri Lanka Press Council Chairman Attorney-at-law Koggala Wellala and many others participated at this occasion.