Journalists from the South on goodwill visit to North today

A special train with journalists from the South under the theme "Palmyra leaf and reconciliation between journalists and media organizations in the North and the South would leave from the Colombo Fort Railway Station to Jaffna on March 26 at 6 am.

Parliament Reforms and Mass Media Minister Gayantha Karunathileke said the team of journalists and media organizations from the South would visit the North on March 26 and 27 and meet journalists, politicians and religious leaders in the North with the aim of fostering reconciliation among them.

Foundation stones would also be laid to construct three houses for the families of three journalists burnt in Jaffna during the conflict period. SLBC, Lake House and the ITN would sponsor the construction of the three houses.

Many cultural programmes too would be on the cards on March 27 and this was a historical occasion for journalists.

There had been an obstacle to the free flow of information between the North and the South for long period and this programme aims to bridge that gap.

This would be the first role played by the media to build in truly Sri Lankan nation and it would be the first time a Media Minister visited Jaffna. Teams of regional correspondents will welcome the delegation led by the Media Minister at Railway stations in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi. A special meeting would be held with journalists in the North with the Security Forces personnel in the North as well. We hope to launch the first stage of providing motorcycles to journalists during this programme.

-news.lk