Our solemn promise

As Sri Lanka faces a multitude of economic crises, probably unprecedented since the 1970s, the Daily FT – the country’s only financial newspaper – today marks 12 years in the business of bringing information and insight to its readers.

The Daily FT was established in 2009 to fill a lacuna in the Sri Lankan newspaper scene, which did not have a dedicated newspaper focused on financial news. Throughout our journey the Daily FT editorial team has strived to link financial and economic developments to the socio-political context, never shying away from reporting on hard stories that shape the country’s destiny. In our still young history, this newspaper has often been the only sole mainstream media reporting on ‘sensitive,’ ‘controversial’ issues others chose to ignore, exposed the ugly underbelly of racism and prejudice in Sri Lanka and stridently advocated for democratic values, human rights, unity and justice for all.

Today’s journalism context is evolving rapidly. When the Daily FT began operations a decade ago, social media was still in its infancy, mostly used as a personal network for interaction among friends. Today the digital medium has evolved into a primary source of information for millions. This development brings its challenges for the mainstream media. To begin with, social media proliferation has made traditional news reporting redundant. The speed at which a news story breaks and spreads within the digital space makes reporting on the issue a day after in print media challenging.

The Daily FT sees its role not in competition with social media and the digital media platforms, but as a responsible and respected voice for news analysis and expert opinion on the issues of the day. Our foremost responsibility is to bring our readers the news – but news that is accurate and verified and frames an issue within the bigger picture emerging in the country.

Breaking a story is now a rare privilege for traditional newspapers, but the Daily FT views its fundamental role as credible news reportage. In this respect, the Daily FT has set high standards for accurate and credible reporting.

Through our broad spectrum of columnists, some leaders and opinion-makers in their field while others young dynamic individuals with their own take on complex issues, this newspaper has offered a platform for all shades of opinion and never curtailed their expression. The wide array of columnists provide a rich perspective of opinions that shape decisions concerning our country in many spheres and contribute to a well-informed citizenry who seek to be in charge of their own destinies.

As Daily FT enters its 13th year, the world at large and Sri Lanka, in particular, are facing numerous challenges. The world economy has just begun to recover from an unprecedented global pandemic. The pandemic has demonstrated the structural weaknesses of the world economy and exposed vulnerabilities even in developed countries.  But this recovery phase will also offer opportunities that must be seized. Sri Lanka faces severe economic challenges in the coming year. Shortages of essential commodities not seen in the country for at least 50 years, a debt and credit crisis, macroeconomic mismanagement and rampant corruption are some of these issues. In the coming year, it will be difficult to report on sunshine and roses as the country tackles these problems. Daily FT is committed to reporting on these issues without fear 

or favour.

On the political front, the past two years have seen a grave deterioration of democratic rights and a shrinking space for free expression.

The news media has a crucial role to play in such times, to ensure the democratic way of life in Sri Lanka is not erased and obliterated forever. In 2021, Sri Lanka marked the 90th year since the enactment of the Donoughmore constitution, which makes the country Asia’s oldest continuous democracy.

Daily FT will fearlessly stand for the protection of these constitutional values and democratic tradition – which despite its flaws and disappointments has allowed space for the true expression of the will of the people. This is our solemn promise as we grow a year older in the business of print. Onwards and upwards.