New Year shock for ITN staff

Jan 4 (IL) Sixty seven employees of the Independent Television Network have been dismissed from service by the present administrative authority with effect from yesterday, according to a statement issued by these employees.

They said thirty of those sent out were media personnel including news producers, editors, assistant producers of programmes, programme organisers, announcers and news reporters.

In addition a number of typists, translators, lighting technicians, camera assistants, clerks, labourers and office assistants were also suddenly dismissed from service.

The present administrative authority and the new chairman Newton Gunaratne were appointed by the President after she took over the Mass Communication Ministry on November 2.