Govt. to employ 54,000 graduates

• Undergraduates to be employed based on when they completed their degree
• Promises no political discrimination  
• Outlines plans to give loans, homes to journalists 
• National Training Centre for media to be established, pledges to protect media freedom  

The Government will provide employment to nearly 54,000 unemployed undergraduates in accordance with Government policy and will take legal action against those who attempt to scam the undergraduates promising employment opportunities using names of powerful politicians, a top official said yesterday.  

Information and Com-munication Technology Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena yesterday revealed the employment plans at a press conference held at the Ministry. The Minister pointed out that graduates will be employed based on when they completed their respective degree, giving those who have been unemployed longer a better chance at finding employment. 

The Government has also plans to establish a National Training Centre for journalists with a view to improve professionalism in the field, he said. Abeywardena pointed out that the need for a National Training Centre for Journalism has been identified, and that plans are been drawn up to establish one in the coming years. 

Abeywardena, addressing the media, said that the Government was planning to launch a number of programs to uplift and benefit the mass media sector. Among the planned programs are vehicle loans and urban housing programs, he added. Furthermore, the Government plans to establish Provincial Press Clubs for professional journalists in the future.  

The Government will always work to uplift journalism and is duty bound to protect journalists, Abeywardena stressed.