The National Media Awards took place for the first time and the three gold awards were made to veteran journalist D. F. Kariyakarawana for his contribution to newspaper journalism, Titus Thotawatte, the veteran film maker for his contribution to the TV media and Vijaya Corea for his contribution to the broadcasting media over a long period.

“Media is a powerful sector that could change the lives of people for their betterment, or be used for their downfall. The media plays the role of guardian and teacher and is responsible for giving correct information, the Prime Minister said.

He said that the media has contributed to eradicating corruption or misuse of power as in the case of the Watergate scandal.” During the Vietnam War, the media played a humanitarian role that helped the world understand the problem of Vietnam,” Prime Minister added.

"It has however turned out to be a world wide problem protecting the identity, culture and values of nations, but some media, we are aware, are building separate new cultures, and it was a challenge for the media to preserve the national ethos with equilibrium in its dissemination of news and information. But media ban or censorship is a word usually governments are accused of, but we do not seek to gag the press or the media," Wickramanayake said.

"There is nothing called free media anywhere in the world, as press barons or owners of media groups or even governments expect the media to play a particular role or work according to an agenda of the bosses, but each of you should adopt your own censorship or discipline to ensure that the interests of the people are not trespassed upon, as media persons are not merely doing a job but are making an important contribution and performing a service to the people," he said.