Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has announced the imposition of registration fees for news websites in Sri Lanka.
News websites will now be charged Rs 100,000 ($750) for registering and an annual fee of Rs 50,000 ($ 375).
Rambukwella said the new measures are designed to control ‘filth’ that was being published by some websites.
"This is the first step in the process of regulating those who were engaged in publishing filth.
"The legal process takes time. It cannot be done in a hurry."
According to The Island, Rambukwella said the measures are supposed to ensure to protect defenceless individuals from harm.
When questioned about a meeting between President Rajapakse and the editor of one of the websites that was raided recently, the minister said, Rajapakse may have ‘advised’ him.
However, he added that it was difficult for those engaged in character assassination to mend their ways.
