ABOUT EVENT
Media Fest 2026
Media Fest 2026 is Sri Lanka’s leading media conference, bringing together journalists, editors, publishers, content creators, academics, and communication professionals to explore the future of journalism.
Held under the theme “Staying Relevant in a Changing World,” the festival will examine key issues including media credibility, AI and digital disruption, audience behaviour, newsroom transformation, and sustainable business models for journalism.
📅 Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026
🕘 Time: 9:15 AM – 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra, Colombo
Join industry leaders and emerging voices for a day of insightful discussions, networking, and innovation as Sri Lanka’s media community comes together to shape the future of journalism.
Sri Lanka–India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA)
The Sri Lanka–India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) is a non-profit professional organization established to strengthen media cooperation and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and India. Officially inaugurated on 29 May 2024 at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) in Colombo, SLIMFA was founded by Sri Lankan journalists who had participated in familiarization visits and professional exchange programmes supported by the Government of India.
The Association serves as a platform for journalists, editors, media professionals, academics, and communication experts from both countries to engage in meaningful dialogue, knowledge sharing, and professional collaboration. The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka serves as the Ex-Officio Patron of the Association, reflecting the importance of media diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations.
SLIMFA is committed to promoting media exchanges, enhancing awareness of contemporary India, encouraging research and writing on the Sri Lanka–India partnership, fostering innovative ideas to strengthen people-to-people connections, and supporting capacity-building initiatives for media professionals.
Since its inception, SLIMFA has successfully organized several landmark events, including Media Fest, Editors’ Roundtables, Media Interactions with Visiting Indian Journalists, and specialized training programmes such as the AI Masterclass for Media. These initiatives have brought together leading journalists, policymakers, academics, technology experts, and industry leaders to discuss the future of journalism, digital transformation, ethical reporting, and regional cooperation.
Through its activities, SLIMFA continues to serve as a bridge between the media communities of Sri Lanka and India, promoting mutual understanding, professional excellence, and collaborative storytelling while contributing to stronger bilateral relations and regional media development.
