Mass Media

NEWSPAPERS AND JOURNALS OF SRI LANKA: A CASE OF SELF - CENSORSHIP

Ravi Prasad Herath

he privilege of reading publications Thus by 1977, due to the manner in In addition to the fact that there was no T on political and other subjects which which one government fell and another tradition of impartial newspapers, the the people of this country had enjoyed for arose and the consequent economic and recently introduced method of offset print­ many decades started coming to end with social changes that occurred, there were ing too contributed to the emergence of the take over of newspapers by the Govern­ new possibilities were opening up for the the media culture of today. The best ment appearance of a new set of newspapers example is that shortly after the publi­ and journals. cation of 'Sathuta', the very first news­ First came the Lake House take over. paper of picture stories, the Multipax Then the Lankadeepa or the Times Group publishing house came into existence came under Government control. There­ The readers in present day Sri Lanka introducing a new kind of newspapers of after the Independent Newspapers Group are in the grip of newspapers and journals very small size (21X27). (the Davasa Group) was sealed. that have emerged through this new 'mechanism'. (See Chart 1) The resources of the Times Group which were meant to be used in the printing of its newspapers were taken Chart 1 over after paying a nominal sum, and this Mass media institution had to start publishing 'Adha' the mouthpiece of the ruling S.L.F.P.

After the change of government in Print 1977, the Times Group which had the ~T~ best offset printing press in the Island had 1 to print 'Siyarata' the official organ of the Newspapers Journals U.N.P. Not long afterwards, the Times ~1— group in which some of the leading journalists had forked and which had Newspapers under Newspapers not Journals under Journals not under served the country and the nation well government under government govt. govt, control and which had run a profitable business control control control had to be closed down thus throwing its employees out of work. The Davasa group which was a compa­ Leading ratively new institution no longer demons­ Official Alternative Other Commer Non-commercial private trated the openness and the impartiality political newspapers news cial publications newspapers it had shown before 1974. newspapers organize papers publica companies organizations tions tions Thus what was left as national news­ papers was institutions with very large printing machines but which had not won Envirnr me confidence of the people. Religious mental publications The Political newspapers like Aththa, publications Janadina and Janavegaya exposed injus­ tice in various fields but their reports Other were not objective and often engaged in Journals sxaggeration.

Economic Review March-April 1993 23 for girls and young women. With this Chart 2 commenced attempts by millionaires to Chart 7 Newspaper organisations under govern­ make money using the new generation of Other major newspaper companies and ment control: young people. their publications - I. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Today the medium of printing is divided 1. Lttle Rose Publications - Irahanda. Ltd. (Lake House) into two parts i.e. newspapers and jour­ Serasili, Handamama, Aradhana The daily and weekly newspapers and nals. The only newspaper publishing house 2. Sirimali Enterprises - Yuvathi. Ras journals of the Lake House (English. that has remained in govcrnment'hands is anduna. Sathmino. Dimuthu, (These Sinhala, Tamil). the f akc House. The newspapers, and newspapers are not published at Dailies - Dinamina, Daily News, the publications issued by it are given in present) Thinakaran, Janathafweek Chart 2. 3. Sumathi publications - Kumudu. days only). Observer (week Rejina. Sathsara, Araliya, Sarasi. days only). During the period 1978-1979 the news­ 4. Himashan Enterprises-Sadavasana Weeklies - Silumina, Sunday Obser­ papers and other publications of the 5. Prabhath Enterprises - Thiratharu. ver, Navayugaya, Sarasa- Times group had ceased publication; and Kekulu, Lakdiva, Hithavatha viya, Tharuni, Subasetha, by 1979 there were only three major non­ 6. Multipax Lanka - Siththara, Kumari. Athuru Mithuru, Budu- government newspaper organizations Suhada, Muthuhara, Singithi. sarana, Kreeda. Vidunena. (See Chart 3). 7. Caillus Publications - Sathsiri, Sivu Mihira, Yovun Janatha. Twenty newspapers and journals were desa. Senasuma. Hapana. Others - Ferguson Directory, Dina­ being published by the Independent News­ 8. Prithvey Publications - Birinda, mina Vesak Kalapaya, Lake papers Co. Ltd., when the Sirima Bandara- Suvanda, Rasa, Sumiyuru House diaries. Lake House naike government, angered by a report of 9. Rasika Publishers - Sina, Manahara calendar. a case of a number of deaths by massive 10. Sathara Publishers - Sathara news­ poisoning, sealed twenty odd newspapers paper and journals were being published by it. 11. Geetha Publications - Geetha 12. Geetha Enterprises - Sakvithi Chart 3 Although after the UNP came to power 13. Ravaya Publishers - Ravaya, Usas- Non-government newspapers compa­ in 1977 the 'Davasa' group resumed its peta, Sapcla nies - publications under a new group of officers, 14. Pravada Publishers - Pravada Maga­ 1. Vijaya Publications Ltd. the new style of these publications did not zine meet the aspirations of the people. 15. Lanka Guardian Publication - Lanka 2. Upali Newspapers Co. Ltd. The Davasa group was disliked by the Guardian (fortnightly) magazine' 3. Express Newspapers Ltd. great majority of fellow journalists as a 16. Yukthiya Publications - Yukthiya Newspapers published by Express (weekly) newspaper Newspapers Ltd. 17. Chathura Dharma Vidya Publica­ 1. Veerakesari Charts tions - Manasa, /.' Chiththadharma Vidya / 2. Mithran. Varamanjari. Newspapers published by Upali News­ paper Co. Ltd. (Sinhala, English) 18. Centre for Society and Religion- Dailies -Divaina Sanvada, Christian Worker 19. Vegaya Publishers - Vegaya news- Chart 4 The Island .,paper Publications of Independent Newspapers Weeklies - Sunday Divaina 20. Sri Kantha Publications - Sri Kantha. Co. Ltd., (Sinhala-Tamil-English) Sunday Island Sithumina Dailies - Davasa Navaliya 21. Hettigoda Publications - Valenda. Sun Vidusara Pansiya Panas Jathaka Bana Dinapathi Binder 22. The Economic Times - Economic Weeklies - "Weekend Times newspaper Rivirasa 23. Sinhala Bala Mandalaya Mathru- Iranama Chart 6 bhoomi Rasakatha Newspapers and magazines published by 24. Zenith Publications - Sipsatha' Tikiri Vijaya publishing Co. Ltd. (English - 25. Trico international - Meda Prradigf Honey Sinhala) 26. Vincent Publications - Chalazia Chic Dailies - Lankadeepa(not publi­ Priyavi shed on Saturday) Sri (Magazine) Weeklies Sunday Times Sunday Lankadeepa place where journalists were subjected to Tharunaya severe oppression. But in the period Such publishers, making use of offset Sirikatha 1970-1980 it performed the functions of a printing unhesitatingly entered into two Vijaya school of journalism. The publications fields with which the readers were not Surathala issued by the Davasa group (under new familiar in the past. One of them was the Lanka Woman picture stories. The other was newspapers management) are given in Chart 4.

24 Economic Review March-April 1993 Mass Media

By that time the Lake House had was the editor of the Davasa group's story publishing organisations as well as turned to offset printing and this was English language newspapers at the time popular and experienced journalists. liked by the people. This meant a sudden of its closure for the second time, was also Journalists and administrative officers challenge to the Davasa group. the editor of 'Honey' the other multi­ opposed to the government who had colour newspaper of that group. (He was The market was invaded by multi­ been working for pro-government news­ also the editor of 'Chic', another publi­ colour tabloids, although their substance paper organisations flocked to the Upali cation of the same group). was of low quality. This shows that the Newspaper Company in drones. readers are enamoured by the colour Factors like disputes about many The printing technology available to pages and the childish stories. The chall­ irregularities in the company, migration the company was superior to that available enge faced by the Davasa group was of able journalists of the Davasa group to anywhere else in the Island. In its early made all the greater by the fact that 'the the newly started 'Divaina', and the non- days its publications were not second to giant printing press'which it had boasted committed policy of the remaining journa­ any other in regard to substance and of was unable to print more than two lists in the expectation of favours from colour. (Publications of the Upali News­ colours (according to the rotary method) the government, contributed to the further paper Company as at present are given in at a time. disintegration of the Independent News­ Chart 5). papers Company. The M.D. Guanasena and Co. which The rivalries that arose in the organi­ owned the Davasa group also had a little In I980, Upali Wijewardena who was sation after the sudden disappearance of printing machine which was capable of the Chairman of the Greater Colombo its founder led to its able staffers (inclu­ multi-colour litho printing. Making use Economic Commission, along with Vijitha ding those in the newspapers) leaving, it of that machine the Davasa group pub­ Yapa who had been his Public Relations and in 1991 all its publications recorded a lished two newspapers which were printed Officer, took the initial steps for the sharp drop in circulation. at the Gunasena press. It was hoped that formation of the Upali Newspaper Co. this way the Davasa Group will be able to Ltd. The inaugural publication of the When the Lake House was taken over compete with its rivals sucessfully. company, which had a name and a format by the Government, Ranjith Wijewardena However, those two newspapers did not suggested by Upali Wijewardena himself, set up the Wijaya Publishing Company. survive very long. One of these two was Chitra Mitra, a paper of picture He took over the publishing rights of all newspapers published by Gunasena & stories. To his new company he was able the publications of the Times group which Co. and the Davasa group was 'Priyavi1, to lure with high salaries artists who had had ceased publication due to politics, edited by a poet. Mano Gunasena who been the main stay of various picture and started several tabloids with the help

Chart 8 Newspapers on various Subjects and their Publishers

Chitho Little Charma Lake Vijaya Upali Prabath Camilas Salhara Rose Sumathi Multi Trico Vidiya House Publica Newspa Newspa Publica Publica Publica Publica Publica Publica tion pers pen tions tions tion tions linns tions

Subject

Childrens Mihira Vijaya Kikulu Handamama _ Astrological Subawlha - Irahanda - - - - - Political - - - - Political (solutions) - Lakdlva Sulanga - - - Womens' Therunce Sirikalha Navntiya Rajina - • gitalin _ _ i vindhi Young girls - Arallya Knmud i Kumari - Sports Kireeda - - - - Educational Nava^rugaya - Sammana Sathara Technical _ _ _ _ Science Vilhunana _ Vidu'ara ______Cartoons Madura _ _ Hilhavalha _ Silhara Salhlili - Kindergarten tlhimt-Milhun Sura'tlal Hindu - Hapana p.inchi Cinema : _ Tiralham _ Samii _ _ _ _ Chihni Foreign newspapers Sri Lnnkn New,' Mai ha ------Ptradljta - Songs/ Music _ - Salfcsara - - - - Sumiyuru Psychological - • - Mannta English newspapers Daily Newt Daily/Sunday OhMrver SUNDAY THB - • S. Observer TIMES ISLAND English newspapers Sri t.nnka New, LANKA SUNDAY Daily/Sunday i WOMAN ISLAND Europe newspapers iDlnamlna Lankadeepa Divaina |Si1umina - - - -

Economic. Review March-April 1993 25 of a group of persons who had left the The fact that these major publshing lavish in spending for their children's Lake House and joined his company. companies are following the very same education and that there are large numbers (See Chart 6 for the present publications strategies followed by the Lake House of people patronising the arts. of the Wijaya Publishing Company). shows how the readers in this country tae Chart 8 gives a list of newspapers Vijitha Yapa, ex-editor of the Island divided in their tastes. dealing with different subjects. It is only Sunday Edition and the Island who joined recently that the people became interested him to reintroduce the Sunday Times. Many publishers start new newspapers after surveying the readers' interests in in alternate political newspapers. An obstacle they had to face was the different subjects and their economic There are nine (9) women's newspapers dearth of English language editors and capacities. the fact that the circulation of an English published weekly and fourchildren's news­ newspaper was not large. Accordingly the newspapers with widest papers. circulation are meant for children and The time when a newspaper company They took America's USA TODAY as film-lovers. This shows that parents are a model and were able to produce an was respectful to the owner of a newspaper attractive newspaper the like of which was never seen in Sri Lanka before. The Chart 9 make up of the paper was so successful Manual Special Features in various Newspapers that both the other newspapers by now Newspapers Special Features have imitated many things initiated by the Times. The Island (Daily) Morning Spice, This is my Island, Economy and Business, Children's page. Cartoons (an average of five By 1979 the political commentary of cartoons a day). 'Migara' in the weekend, the Sunday Divaina (Daily) Foreign news, Heen Rala, Hatara Vate, Varnish. English paper of the Dawasa group was The Island (Sunday) Marginal comments, Legal Watch, World news, My very popular. (A translation of it appeared Island on Sunday, Opinion, Business World, Funny in the Rivirasa). Caption, Show and Vision, Gardening, Children's Page, About three Cartoons. The Editor of the Times at the time was Observer (Evening) About five Cartoons, Arts - Cinema-stage news, so enamoured of it that he got a young Shipping news, Fashions, Sports. Horse races ft journalist who had worked for some time selection Crossword Puzzles, Bookie news. at the Davasa and the Divaina to write a Sri Lankadeepa Youth page, People forum, The Window, Politics similar article under the name of Surani- Sunday Observer Foreign news, Science, Free views. Home gardening. mala. Vijitha Yapa resigned from the Political Commentary, Children's Page. Cinema ft 'f Arts, Motor vehicles, Woman, Puzzles, Business . Times too. Political pressures connected Ravaya To...., Women's page. Political commentary. with the Suranimala column had some­ Provincial news, Readers' Forum, Poetry, Short Story, thing to do with Vijitha Yapa's 'resig­ Chalana Close to heart, Lotus Pond, What are they doing? nation'. (The writer who contributed the Rajaliya — Migara column then is the editor of the Haraya From work place, Current views. Dialogue Times today). Sirilaka — Yukthiya Discussion, Views, Dialogue, Interpretation, Notes The concept of 'open economy' intro­ Desathiya Domestic news, Foreign news, Economics ft duced by the UNP government in 1977 Commerce, Medicine, Environment, of The Window, paved the way for the emergence of a Books and tbe Arts. large number of major publishing houses. Kalpana To...., Foreign news, From the playing field, Poetry, Many of them have become successful Cinema, Arts, Foreign short story, Local short story. enough to publish weekly newspapers. Vanitha Vithtbi Women's Forum, Political arena. Law for you. World Creations, Youthful fragrance (Poetry), Beautiful Although the large newspaper organi­ Child, Newcomers' writings. Flower designs, Cookery, sations have buildings, printing presses, Openings, Decarations, News shout Exhibitions. paper, transport and circulation facilities, Lanka Guardian Trends, News Background. their weakness in the finish and the Rivirasa Novel, Choice, Arts and Crafts, The Children Story content of their publications was the in pictures. The playing field, Women's page, Poetry, prime reason for the.growth of the major The Clinic. publishing houses mentioned above. Silumina ,i Political commentary. Novel, Story in pictures. Science, Children, Women. Poetry. These publishers gave up rotary print­ Dinamina Cartoon, Letter to the Editor, two columns of stories ing, purchased modern offset presses, in pictures. hired popular personnel proficient in Divaina (Sunday) 1 story in pictures. Note of tbe week (World news) different fields and carried on their busi­ I remember the roof, The Roundabout, Thoughts, ness (Except for a few who overreached Letter from up-country, Pearls of poetry. New themselves and collapsed, the other publi­ dialogue, two cartoons, Political correspondents' column, Book reviews, Schofatly articles. Peoples' shers are doing well). Chart 7 gives a list Forum, Peoples' poetry. Short novel, Antenava. of other major newspaper companies and their publications.

26 Economic Review March-April 1993 and its founder belongs to the past.. The the corrupt activities of the leaders of The study shows that the increase of success of otherwise of a newspaper is the people'. journals and growing competition among determined by its content. The content newspapers have resulted in the appear­ The early part of the twentieth century depends on its features. The usual ance of good quality columns in alter­ witnessed a growth in the 'columns'. features in different newspapers are shown native political newspapers and in jour­ Starting of the 'Lankadeepa' marked a in Chart No. 9. nals. very special stage of that growth. The Although there is talk about an 'enlight­ 'Vagatuga' (Miscellany) column of Sri The columns in many newspapers of ened' class and a 'non-enlightened' class Chandraratne Manavasinghe had a pro­ the post 1990 period appear to cater to in society such a division is not reflected found influence on the development of groups which seek cheap pleasures, and in official political newspapers and in column writing. the reason why readers quickly moved alternate newspapers. Nor is it indicated During that period, in newspapers like towards the alternative press was that the in other non-political newspapers. the 'Dinamina' and the 'Silumina' too, quality of the major newspapers had declined due to such shortsighted policies. Most of the content of political news­ there were columns written under pseu­ papers is devoted to insults and gossip of donyms like Mayurapala and Kautilya. Going to courts to claim damages and low taste and other unimportant items. 'Hella' (the Spear) written by David compensation from newspapers for Much of the space in other popular Karunaratne to the Riviresa was a column features appearing there for the purpose weeklies is devoted to women's ailments, that received the attention of educated of intimidating those newspapers is also introduction to Pen Pals, cookery, horse- readers. something that happens in the field of racing, information about bookmakers, In the 1960's, writers like Chandra journalism. medical problems etc. A special feature is Anagiratne and Harsha Sri Wijayasinghe There is no doubt that the left wing that every English and Sinhalanewspaper started a tradition of humourous columns newspapers are the main targets in this carries several picture stories. aimed at entertainment. kind of litigation.

The 'columns'which occupy an impor­ tant place among the features are common Chart 10 to all newspapers in the country ('columns' Columns In various Newspapers in different newspapers are given in Chart No. 10). The Newspapers The Column Silumana Is it true? Ridiculous happenings, Human follies. The 'column' is sharper and more Anuruddha Tilakasiri, Visva Kuiaratna. eloquent than the other articles and Lankadeepa (Daily) Little jobs, How and why. features of a newspaper. That is due to its Sunday Times Fifth column, Peeping Tom, Commentary. Suranimala brevity and concentration. Its style and Tharuniya Pinas world, Out of focus. indirectness, its subtle sarcasm and logic Vidusara — help the writer to impregnate his words Aththa Rangadena Baila. Snake's story, Kosala's dreams. with power. Thereby he helps the news­ Ranchagoda, This too is written by. See the World paper to retain its existing readers and to Of Sakra, Chutimama. Through the key hole. win new ones. Rivirasa — Davasa — .Although the 'column' took its present Lakdiva Political view, Diary of the truthful man, Meghadu thage's sakvala, Saturn's column. Government diary, form a mere decade ago, articles contain­ Banda's comment. ing some features of a 'column' appeared Sivudesa (Columnists) Harsha, Harsha Sanjaya, Vismitha. even in the very first Sinhala newspaper, Asammatha, Dayan, Vidyanidhi. Vijaya. viz. Lankalokaya (1960). Vivarana How it happened, A look, Conversation, Inquirer, Among the popular columns in the Young man. past were 'Raigam Rala', 'Seeyage Desalhiya Desathiya essay. Million's Round Table, Damayanthi's diary. Kolamc' (Grandpa's column), 'Pakislan- Vanitha Viththi Ravaya Ravi. taya', 'Ukussa'(the Hawk), 'Lunatickler' Rajaliya Pinochio, Seethrough notes. (the Lunatic) and Bhuta Reporter. These Sirilaka Is it true? Explorer. What's he doing?, Dispal darkness. are remembered to this day although they 0 the times, Mahamindu. were discontinued two or three years ago. Yukthiya Today's special, Vataya, Discussion, Narnsingha, Often a 'column' contains a merciless Interpretation, Comment. Irida Lankadeepa (Sunday) Heard and saw. Little one's letter, 'Samaja Samayam' criticism. Biting satre and succession are Tiki tots (Lankonis). a column's main characteristic. Sunday Observer Anuruddha Tilakasiri, Lankaputhra. The following extract from the editorial The Island (Daily) Morning spices, Amita Abeysekera - This is my Island. of the inaugural issue of 'Kavata Katikaya' The Island (Sunday) Kautilya, Taraki, Amitha Abeysekera, This is my summarises its policy: Island, Lusian Rajakarunanaynke. Sirikatha Dolly's diary. 'not only to entertain the people with Dinamina — innocent but also to mercilessly attack

Economic Review March-April 1993 27 Chart 11 Space Allocated in Different Newspapers for various Sections

Columns Columns Columns Local Foreign Special Newspaper Paper cm. cm. in multi Sports Photo Political Gasified Contract Column Advertise Cartoon Others in a page news advertise in a page newspapers news features graph publicity Ad. cm., ment (cm.) meat in colour

Silumina 32 10 2S0 16640 540 510 3640 400 526 520 2600 5720 1560 8320 360 1930

Rivirasa 24 7 315 7560 700 300 3465 160 315 320 630 630 - 1260 630 100

Davasa 16 7 315 5040 1890 315 315 315 300 300 315 315 - 630 100

Sunday Lankadeepa 16 8 400 6400 800 200 900 100 300 700 800 2000 600 3200 100 500

Daily Lankadeepa ] 0 8 41 e 4160 lino 280 500 300 200 420 105 400 - 505 200 . 655

Daily Divaina 16 8 416 6656 2080 210 410 410 400 420 110 1660 - 1770 3000 656

Sunday Divaina 24 8 416 9984 420 410 3500 400 400 935 900 2300 1874 3438 150 569

Yukthiya 16 5 195 3120 300 1650 780 200 190

Sirilaka 12 5 199 1080 385 195 5265

RajaJiya 16 5 195 3120 195 2925 Short Haraya 4 8 360 1440 1440 stories i:olum n cm Ravaya 20 5 195 3900 1065 65 1450 - 585 - (97) 300 195 Lakdrva 20 5 195 oHCC 195 175 2535 195 - - - 175 625 Aththa 8 8 400 3200 400 100 1400 3G0 300 300 - - - - 4M -

The Island 16 Q *i6 S656 620 300 2710 830 300 21C 1250 1460 210 226

Sunday Island 22 10 ' 520 11440 520 320 4200 1040 130 1000 300 3120 3320 130 2540

Dairy News 32 ;o 520 16640 950 10U) 1050 !C50 520 1050 250 10.400 1560 10920 10 90

The Observer 10 to 520 5200 260 260 520 520 500 520 52 1300 - 1352 260

Sunday Observer 30 10 250 15600 520 U50 2080 1050 500 1560 780 6240 2080 7020 130 2090

Sunday Times 32 10 520 16640 520 780 4150 .">.0 TOO 520 230 3120 3640 3380 260 5980

Dinatnina 14 8 520 7280 1000 500 2010 260 200 2000 280 1200 1050 1840 200 370 Mass Media

The writer who has caused the payment Chart 12 nf the highest amount of compensation is Height of a Column in various Newspapers Anuruddha Tilakasiri who is a columnist (In centimetres) of the Sunday Sinhala and English publi­ cations of the Lake House. Publication Height of a column > Publiction Height a column The Sunday Times is an arena where Daily News 54 Yukthiya 40 different political ideologies find expres­ Divaina 53 40 sion. It publishes many columns under Ravaya Daily Observer 54 Sivdesa (Newspaper) 35 many pseudonyms. However, Vijitha Lankadeepa 53 Daily Island 53 Yapa, a former editor of the Island and Sunday Times 54 45 the Sunday Times occupies a special Davasa Vijaya 33 Rivirasa 45 position as an editor who had never S3 Lanka Guardian 23 allowed any room for anyone to claim 33 Surathala 27 damages from this newspaper. Sirikatha Vidusara 35 Vivarana 23 Although the readers and writers argue Aththa S4 Vanitha Viththi 25 about the content of newspapers, continu­ Rajaliya 40 Varana 21 ation of a newspaper uninterruptedly and Haraya 47 Kalpana 23 inpeace is not easy. It depends on the Sirilaka 41 Desathiya 24 requirements of the editorial board and Manahara 17 Sivdesa (magazine) 19 those of the advertising branch. Consequently the pages and columns of such newspapers and their content are Chart 13 used in such a way as to meet the Newspapers Means for Light Reading expenditure incurred. This becomes a I I Total in serious matter because the investors Newspaper Year of Size Column Page column i Readers Popular features always seeks bigger profits. founding ••in a page A look at a newspaper today shows the Kumari 1978 81x27 24 108 Young girl) True stories, Beauty effort made by editors to allocate pages page, Rose page in a manner that would satisfy tastes of 2 Novels, Samanala, the readers. Palama. Parasathumal, Sayuren Eha Malaliya, Consequently the arrangement of the Samanallu, Tuno class, pages in all the newspapers is very often Picture story Pond of poetry Kalaye the same. Newspapers which differ in Viyaruwa, Kalpana height and width, arrangement of pages Yuvathi (not in print now) and in the style of presentation are almost non-existent in Sri Lanka now. Aralia 1900 21x27 24 108 Young girls To you with love, Novels, Employment One wonders whether the Davasa group Foundation while it existed tried to be different from True friends, all other newspapers. At that time a page Rekha, Nosiru etc. in all major newspapers had ten (10) or eight (8) columns. Rut a page in all the newspapers of the Davasa group had several columns. Moreover, the Riviresa had no editorial. It was the Dawasa and SuwBnda 1992 21x27 84 108 Young girls its Sunday paper Riviresa which gave most space to local and provincial news. Siththara 1978 21x27 24 Picture Stories Sathsiri 108 1 Picture Stories Although there are a large number of 21x27 24 newspapers in the market they inevitably Hithauiatha 2]x27 24 108 Picture Stories have to conform to one of three sizes, viz. largey siz.e, tabloid size and the small size 21»27 24 108 Picture Stories of 21 X 27. Naluwa (not in print) Picture Stories Chart 11 shows the space given by different newspapers and journals to Vichitra (not in print now) Picture Stories various features. This information is based on several specimens selected for each Sathvaruna 21x27 24 108 Picture Stories year. I

Economic Review March-April 1993 29 Chart 18 Journals under Government Control Chart 14 Stomal Ptibtouon of Sri I. People Bank - Arthika Vimasuma, Economic Review, Kalpana, Banku Sevakaya, Bankuvai Obai (a trade union Palhi - Pathini publication) Sarana 2. Government Publication Subhasarana Department - Desathiya Suvaya 3. Sevaka Aramuthala - Peramaga Rathikreeda 4. Mahaveli Development Playboy (Sinhala) Ministry - Mahaveli Viththi Playgirl (Sinhala) S. Ministry of Higher Education - Mahapola Gnana Darshana (not published now) Novarasa 6. - Sumaka Puvath 7. Ministry of Environment - Soba, English/Sinhala

Because it is not possible to have an Chart 15 accurate idea about the appearance of Official Political Publication of Sri Lanka newspapers from the number of columns in a page. Chart 12 shows the height of a Political Party column in different newspapers and Name of Newspapers United National Party - Siyarata (Sinhala), Journal (English), Namdesam (Tamil) journals. S.L.F.P. - Sirilaka The major newspaper institutions are N.S.S.P. - Haraya financially very strong, but they are unable CP. -Aththa to cater to all types of readers. L.S.S.P. - Janadina (not in print), Samasamajaya J.V.P. - Niyamuwa, Vedihanda (not in print) Until now not a single major newspaper D.U.N.F. - Rajaliya group had been able to start a newspaper U.N.P. - Dinapatha (not in print) catering specifically to young girls. (The U.N.P. - Janaraliya (not in print) excuse they offer is their professional Mahajana Eksath Peramunai - Deshaya inrtegrity but forget the fact that some of Desha Vimuthi Janatha - Desha Vimukthi Peramunai their newspapers do worse things).

Such publications were started by Multipax publications and their size is 21 X 27 cm. There arc about twenty Chart 16 publications now. (Each of them is Main Newspaper of the left m Sri Lanka 21 X 27 cm. in size and has a minimum of 24 pages). Party Samasamajaya Newspaper Jana Sakthya (not print) The newspapers meant for girls are very Lanka Samasamaya Party Nava Sakthiya (following the popular among girls working in factories Janasakthiya was prosecuted,) in the Free Trade Zone, and among Lanka Communist Party Communist school girls. The publishers say that the Communist Party of Sri Lanka Aththa (Large size) circulation can be doubled or tripled by Communist Party of Sri Lanka Varna publishing pictures of popular actors and Nava Lanka Sama Samaja Party Satanmaga actresses on the first page, by issuing a Revolutionary Communist Party Kamkaru Mawatha Lanka Sama Samaja Party Janadina (daily, not in print now) letter-writing sheet or a sticker with the newspaper.

Particulars about such newspapers which provide some entertainment are Chart 17 given in Chart 13. Alternation Newspaper Companies and the Piibllcatlnrw Sex publications arc another kind of 1. Little Rose Publications: Sulanga, Sunday Sulanga, A daily of the beginning : publication which came to prominence weekly now) after the introduction of the offset method 2. Prabath Newspapers Company Ltd.: I.akdrva. (Weekly magazine) of printing. They cannot be called 'socio­ 3. Camilus Publictions Ltd.: Sivdesa (monthly) logical' publications because they are 4. Ravaya Publishers: Ravaya (Weekly) wholly devoted to features that provoke

30 Economic Review March-April 1993 sexual feelings. Such publications arc Chart 19 given in Chart 14. Journals pot under Government Control The traditional pattern of differrent 1. Sarana Cultural Group - Vivarana political parties coming to the fore one 2. Rasika Publication - Manahara after the other underwent a ohange. The 3. Kamilalus Publication - Sivdesa leader of the opposition who had attacked 4. Multipaks Lanka - Muthuhara various institutions formed a government 5. Lanka Guardian's Publishing - Lanka Guardian (English) in 1977 and he issued an open cheque to 6. Pravada Publications - Pravada (Sinhala/English) the mass media. 7. Lanka Fauna and Flora Protection Society - Varana and Loris magazine Some persons made use of this and 8. Vijaya Publication Co. Ltd. - Vanitha Viththi entered the field of journals. They looked 9. - Mawatha. for modern printing machines and non- traditional markets. Consequently, two types of journals Chart 20 emerged, viz. those under government control and those which are not. (See Commercial and Environmental Publication not under Government Control Chart 15, for a list of political news­ 1. Haritha 8. Dakma papers). 2. Diyadama 9. Vathashi Publication - Thesis 3. Mihikatha 10. Vathashi Publications - Malsith Among the Ministers who, making use 4. Varana - Panamure of the resources under state control took 5. Loris - K.usum Pethum the initiative to start journals were 6. Sarvodaya - Isum Anandatissadc Alwis, Gamini Dissanaike 7. Dana and Ronnie de Mel. At the beginning all these efforts had been quite beneficial to society. They expanded the market and Chart 21 fulfilled the needs of the readers. Noncommercial Religious Publications not Government Control With the passage of time, the politicians 1. Sinhala Bauddhaya concerned attempted to turn them into a 2. Bauddha Balaya means to build their political image, in 3. Sarasavi Sandarasa (not published now. The Buddhist Theoritica! Society building that image the publishers played started by a group let by Col. Heury Steel Olcott the main role while the editors were had been the publishers) relegated to minor role. 4. Gnanartha Pradeepaya S. Christian Messenger This state of affairs disappointed the 6. Asiri readers and they deserted those journals. Chart 18 gives a list of journals un.der government control. Although the internal conditions of all Chart 22 the journals financed by the government Technical Information on Periodicals arc not a like, a common features of them all is that they support government policies Periodicals Pages Columns Length Length of Length of Print unconditionally. cm Colmns/page Colmns in Type cm in all pages At present (1992) there are about seven em alternative journals and Chart 19 gives a Cover list of journals which are not under Varana off-set government control. Inner Leuer-Press The commercial publications not under Cover government control can be classified into Vivarana off-set two: Inner Letter-press 1. Environmental publications (Chart Vanilha Vilhi off-set 20) Arthika Vimasuma off-set 2. Religious publications (Chart 21) Sivdesa off-set Desalhiya off-set 1. Environmental Publications Kalpana off-set Many of these magazines which deal Economic Review off-set with the environment in Sri Lanka and Lanka Guardian Letter-press the world are clearly influenced by non­ Mutuhara off-set governmental organisations (NGOs). This influence is there whether the journal is

Economic Review March-April 1993 31 is commercialized. Not only the Buddhist Chart 23 newspapers but the many parellel literary Newspapers that appear depending on the Potential Readers and the Market magazines and journals too are non­ existent now. Even the existing publi­ 1. Regional newspapers Vedilla cations serve as vehicles of different Podujana Hithawalha (North Centra] Province) Buddhist sects. Saturday Review (not published now) 2. Newspaper published in the Although the format of all these jour­ Jaffna peninsula — nals and their intermediaries change from 3. Newspaper solely aimed an time to time they have a specific goal and imparting an English General English are moving towards it. (Technical details education English Express. of some of the Sri Lankan journals are given in Chart 22). From 1976 there were several provicial Chart 24 newspapers in the Island. Most of them Doe to problem of existence some newspapers and journals change their forum examples were confined to the Central and the 1. A newspaper becomes a magazine - 'Sivdesa', a collection of feature articles North Central Province. 2. A magazine becomes a newspaper - 'Ravaya' communication Sunday newspaper Provincial newspapers emerged also.in 3. A newspaper becomes a magazine - 'Vanitha Viththi' mission of womenhood various areas of the South to cater to 4. Change from tabloid size to 400 groups of readers influenced by the ideas column cm. size page - 'Siyarata'. of the JVP/ All those publications were 5. A magazine becomes a newspaper of tabloid size. 6. The size and the name as well as the - 'Kala' magazine the readership addressed change Although such newspapers were not 7. Extinction of a newspaper with a - (Mahaweli Viththi) very popular among the people they change of ownership could be maintained based on the good­ - 'Deepasikha' will of passive societies and their members. Chart 25 Chart 23 shows the new newspapers Newspapers and Journals tha t went out of Print due to various Reasons which emerged based on the available space among the readers and in the Rasarahas (Sex) Piyuma (Monthly magazine) market. Sisilasa (Cinema) Sarana (Sex) Rasarasara (Humour) Pathipathini (Sex) The'Saturday Review'edited by Gamini 1 Udara (Childrens ) Vindana (Social) Navaratnc was published from Jaffna at Kala (Cinema) Yathra the beginning (Later several of its issues Randiva (Politics) Isura (Development) were published from Colombo). Sinha Kodiya (Politics) Kalaya (Politics) Deepasikha (Cinema/Arts) Rasavahini (Social/ Literary) Due to the demand for a knowledge of Sithumina (Astrology/Occult) Gnanadarshana (Educational/Social) English for purposes of obtainingjobs in Handahana (astrology) Tharangani (Radio) the Middle East, employment opportu­ Janahanda (Politics) Adha (Politics) nities in the government and*the private Newro (Cartoons) Thulana (Social) sectors, there were popular newspapers Tribune (Politics/Social) Sri (Social) of the 21 X 27 size entirely devoted to Sathdina (Politics) Samudrika (Astrological) Lakmina (Politics/Alternation) Karmantha (Industry) English lessons in the 1980s. Sathipatha (Politics) Nuvana (Educational) The television was even able to shatter Saturday Review (Politics) Nishpadana (Educational) the representatives of not only the cinema Kavisuvanda (Poetry) Yeheli (Girls) and the stage but also of many newspapers Schnelle (Fashion) Kavisuvanda (Poetry) and journals. Ha Pancha (Children's) Rankati (Children's) Sakura (Cinema) Meepani (Children's) As a result many journals gradually Singithi Siththara (Children's) Ethera (Monthly magazine) lost their readers and had to stop publi­ Dimuthu (Picture stories) Dimuthu (Picture Stories) cation. (The relevant facts are given in chart 25). Some others had to undergo changes due to problems they faced. about the environment or about voluntary 'Vathasi' publications are maintained (Chart 24) labour (Shramadana). The work done by by the earnings of the Vathasi project There was self-censorship. The culprit the two magazines 'Warana' and 'Loris' alone. as a service to the country is praised by was not the government but the media- many environmentalists. They are publi­ 2. Religious Publications person. shed by the Society for Preservation of The religious publications are a good This was a tragedy of democracy second Wildlife and Nature (WNSP). illustration of the extent to which society only to the culture of killing.

32 Economic Review March-April 1993