This is an automatically generated PDF version of the online resource sri-lanka.mom-gmr.org/en/ retrieved on 2024/03/19 at 02:38
Global Media Registry (GMR) & Verité Research - all rights reserved, published under Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Verité Research LOGO
Global Media Registry

Media

Currently, over 75 daily and weekly print publications, 20 television stations and 50 radio stations are active in Sri Lanka. The MOM team explored the ownership structures of 46 media outlets spanning across these sectors, including the online space. Although the ownership of news-related websites is sometimes impossible to identify, we traced the ownership of at least 44 media outlets back to 23 families and individuals.

The profiles of these 46 outlets are presented in Sri Lanka’s commonly used languages, Sinhala, Tamil and English.

While the state is the only actor having a significant foothold across all four types of media, the competition within each sector has also allowed for private companies to gain audience shares.

Another common feature across certain media outlets is the space provided for religious content. However, as the Media Ownership Monitor focuses on news and current affairs, purely religious outlets did not fall within the ambit of this study. Despite this, even well-known media outlets such as FM Derana and Hiru FM begin their daily programming after a broadcasting religious content.

As far as the legal landscape is concerned, Sri Lanka does not have any specific provisions which places limitations on media ownership. As a result, politicians are able to hold shares in media outlets - and they do. Political affiliations can also be seen with the State occupying the roles of both regulator and owner of mass media.

The information on this website is subject to regular review. In light of any relevant development in Sri Lanka, information displayed on the website is subject to change, accordingly.

Media Databases
  • Project by
    Verité Research
  •  
    Global Media Registry
  • Funded by
    BMZ