The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage has decided to bring in new laws to combat the growing spread of pornographic material.
Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Secretary A.P.A. Gunasekera said the ministry had already completed several studies on this vexed problem and that they would soon introduce a countrywide programme designed to wipe out pornographic material.
`Accordingly steps will be taken to clamp down on those responsible for publishing, producing and sale of pornographic material through video cassettes, video compact discs, DVDs, posters, magazines and newspapers,` he said.
He said a survey on the spread of pornographic material in the country by the Kelaniya University is now available to determine what action should be taken.
`This was a comprehensive study and we requested from the Speaker to present the report of this survey to Parliament so that MPs could get an idea on the nature of the problem for appropriate action,` he said.
The one year survey was carried out in Fort, Maradana, Bambalapitiya, Kiribathgoda, Hendala, Wattala, Moratuwa and suburbs. The study focused mainly on school children, those living in boarding houses and commuters travelling from Colombo to villages, Gunasekara said.
He said the ministry would hold discussions at Colombo Museum from next week on the results of the survey with the police, lawyers, media personnel and other personnel to determine what should be done to curb the spread of pornographic publications.
He said the new Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had instructed them to conduct an open debate on issues centred on pornographic material.
Meanwhile, Minister Abeywardena will officially assume duties today at the Ministry.
Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Ministry Secretary A.P.A. Gunasekera said the ministry had already completed several studies on this vexed problem and that they would soon introduce a countrywide programme designed to wipe out pornographic material.
`Accordingly steps will be taken to clamp down on those responsible for publishing, producing and sale of pornographic material through video cassettes, video compact discs, DVDs, posters, magazines and newspapers,` he said.
He said a survey on the spread of pornographic material in the country by the Kelaniya University is now available to determine what action should be taken.
`This was a comprehensive study and we requested from the Speaker to present the report of this survey to Parliament so that MPs could get an idea on the nature of the problem for appropriate action,` he said.
The one year survey was carried out in Fort, Maradana, Bambalapitiya, Kiribathgoda, Hendala, Wattala, Moratuwa and suburbs. The study focused mainly on school children, those living in boarding houses and commuters travelling from Colombo to villages, Gunasekara said.
He said the ministry would hold discussions at Colombo Museum from next week on the results of the survey with the police, lawyers, media personnel and other personnel to determine what should be done to curb the spread of pornographic publications.
He said the new Minister of Cultural Affairs Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena had instructed them to conduct an open debate on issues centred on pornographic material.
Meanwhile, Minister Abeywardena will officially assume duties today at the Ministry.
DVD thama ahuwuoth baduma tahama
