Sri Lanka Press Institute

The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) has established itself as the leading media development institute in Sri Lanka. With its four operational arms, the Press Complaints Commission of Sri Lanka (PCCSL), the Sri Lanka College of Journalism (SLCJ), the Advocacy and Free Media Division and the Media Resource Centre (MRC), the Institute offers systematic training for journalists, promotes self-regulation in the print media and advocates for a free and responsible media in Sri Lanka. The history of the SLPI goes back to 1998, when the Free Media Movement (FMM), The Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka and the Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka signed a historic document called ‘The Colombo Declaration on Media Freedom and Social Responsibility’ following an international media conference held in Colombo in April 1998. The Declaration was also the base on which the organizations built the idea of the SLPI, with the PCCSL and the SLCJ. The concept of the SLPI incorporates all three aspects reflected in the Declaration: training and strengthening professionalism of the media industry; setting standards for professional journalism; and advocacy for reforms so that the media may operate without institutional and other forms of barriers. With a vision of expanded media freedom, and a more professional and responsible media, the SLPI was registered in 2003 as a non-profit entity under the Companies Act of Sri Lanka. The constituent partners of SLPI, The Newspaper Society of Sri Lanka, The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka, the Free Media Movement, and the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association, still provide direction and leadership in media related activities. The organization remains committed to the vision and the mission which was put together during its formation. The vision “To create and nurture an informed public committed to democratic ideals” still holds strong. The mission “To develop a professional, unbiased and independent media” lies at the very centre of its existence.