Sri Lanka Press Bill runs into trouble

Workers Press no. 946, 14 December 1972 · scan page 3

Read from the scan by machine and not corrected: headlines and words can be misread, and a caption or advert can run into the text. For anything you quote, read the scan.

BUILD REVOL GLASGOW SUNDAY DECEMBER Woodside Halls St George's Cross Speakers :

committee)

JOHN BARRIE committee)

WILLIE DOCHE Paisley Tenant: mittee In pers! THE SRI LANKA (Ceylon) coalition government has run into problems in parliament in its entorts to introduce the Press Council Bill giving the government extraordinary powers over the media. The Bill is one of a number of pieces of legislation aimed at making permanent the state of emergency declared by the United Front coalition in April 1971.

It has been challenged in the constitutional court.

But Minister for Constitutional Altairs, Dr Colvin R. de Silva, a leader of the renegade revisionist organization the Lanka Sama Samaja Party, told parliament:

"There is no constitutional court functioning now in regard Council: question of a Press The Bill establishes a government-appointed Press Council empowered to prohibit the publication of news relating to cabinet papers, the police, army or security without permission being sought.

It can demand that journalists reveal the sources of their information and it can take control of newspaper offices and any movable property:

The Council is to be given powers to fine and censure newspapers and to levy penalties over and above those imposed by the courts.

Since the Bill was introduced in August the government has also moved to prohibit publication of any statements relating to monetary, fiscal, exchange control or import control measures which is likely to affect 'adversely' the Sri Lanka economy.

Labou

CELEBRATE 3RD ANNIVERSA OF WORKERS PRESS UTI (SLL (YS TY ( hairman Acti n Comal cI pacity.)