The Daily News (Sri Lanka)
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| The Daily News (Sri Lanka) | |
|---|---|
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| Name | The Daily News |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Owner | Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited |
| Publisher | Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited |
| Language | English |
| Headquarters | Colombo |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
The Daily News (Sri Lanka) is an English-language daily broadsheet published in Colombo. It is produced by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited and has played a prominent role in Sri Lankan media, engaging with national affairs, parliamentary reporting, and international relations. The paper has reported on events involving the United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and regional actors such as India and China.
History
The newspaper traces origins to the colonial period with links to press developments in British Ceylon, reporting alongside contemporaries like Ceylon Daily News and covering matters related to the Donoughmore Commission, Soulbury Commission, and the Independence of Ceylon. During the mid-20th century it covered landmark events including the Bandaranaike assassination, the 1971 JVP insurrection, the 1983 Black July riots, and the Sri Lankan civil conflict with the LTTE. The Daily News documented shifts under leaders such as D. S. Senanayake, S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike, J. R. Jayewardene, Chandrika Kumaratunga, and Mahinda Rajapaksa, while engaging with international frameworks like the United Nations and reporting on summits including the Non-Aligned Movement.
Ownership and Management
Published by Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited, the paper is part of a state-owned group alongside titles like Dinamina and Thinakaran. Management decisions have intersected with administrations of presidents including J. R. Jayewardene, Ranasinghe Premadasa, and Maithripala Sirisena, and with ministries such as the Ministry of Mass Media (Sri Lanka). Editorial appointments have sometimes reflected political dynamics involving figures from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and United National Front coalitions, and interactions with bodies like the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Press Council.
Editorial Stance and Content
The Daily News traditionally presents coverage on parliamentary affairs, foreign policy, and economic policy, frequently reporting on actors such as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Finance (Sri Lanka), International Monetary Fund, and multinational stakeholders like World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Its editorials have engaged with personalities including Ranil Wickremesinghe, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Sirisena, and have commented on issues involving the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the Office on Missing Persons. Content spans political commentary, business reporting on entities like the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, cultural coverage of institutions like the Colombo National Museum, and sports reporting on teams from the Sri Lanka Cricket board.
Circulation and Distribution
Distributed primarily in Colombo and provincial centers such as Kandy, Galle, Jaffna, and Trincomalee, the paper reaches readers in the Western Province, Central Province, and northern regions. Circulation figures have been influenced by competition from titles like Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka), Sunday Times (Sri Lanka), and The Island (Sri Lanka), and by market forces involving advertisers including conglomerates such as John Keells Holdings and Hayleys. Distribution networks link with transport hubs including Bandaranaike International Airport and commuter routes to suburbs like Moratuwa.
Notable Contributors and Columnists
Over decades the paper has featured writers and columnists involved with institutions such as University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, and Open University of Sri Lanka, as well as commentators with backgrounds at the Central Bank and diplomatic service. Contributors have included journalists who covered events connected to figures like Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Dudley Senanayake, analysts who wrote on relations with India and United Kingdom, and commentators from civil society groups such as Transparency International Sri Lanka.
Controversies and Criticism
The Daily News has faced criticism related to its editorial independence during administrations of Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and scrutiny from organizations like the Free Media Movement and the International Federation of Journalists. Incidents have involved disputes over appointments, allegations tied to bias concerning the Eelam War IV reporting, and tensions with media freedom advocates including Reporters Without Borders. Legal and regulatory interactions have referred to the Sri Lankan law enforcement apparatus and judicial proceedings in the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka.
Digital Presence and Online Edition
The paper maintains an online edition and digital platforms competing with portals like Ada Derana, News First, and ColomboPage. Its web presence includes coverage of parliamentary sittings from Parliament of Sri Lanka, live reporting on national elections managed by the Commissioner of Elections (Sri Lanka), and multimedia on events such as state visits involving President of Sri Lanka and foreign heads of state. The digital strategy engages readers through social media alongside broadcasters such as Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and private channels like ITN (Sri Lanka).
Awards and Recognition
The Daily News and its journalists have received recognition in contexts related to journalism awards administered by institutions like the Press Institute of Sri Lanka, and in reporting cited by international bodies including the United Nations Human Rights Council. Its coverage of national events has been referenced in academic work at universities such as University of Jaffna and Rajarata University of Sri Lanka for studies concerning media and conflict.
Category:Newspapers published in Sri Lanka Category:English-language newspapers published in Asia