Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL)
Also known by its iconic moniker Lake House, the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and most influential publishing houses. It operates a diverse portfolio of more than 20 print titles. Among its flagship publications are the English-language Daily News and Sunday Observer, the Sinhala-language Dinamina and Silumina, and the Tamil-language Thinakaran and Vaaramanjari, catering to all three major language communities in the country.
Media assets
Publishing: Daily News, Dinamina, Thinakaran, Sunday Observer, Silumina, Vaaramanjari, Arogya, Sarasawiya, Budusarana, Manchu, Subasetha, Tharunie, Sithmina, Mihithuru, Vanna Vaanavil, Resa, Mihira, Denamuth, Athuru Mithuru, Wesak Kalapaya
State Media Matrix Typology
Captured Public/State-Managed (CaPu)
Ownership and governance
ANCL was brought under state control in 1973 through nationalisation legislation. As of June 2025, the Sri Lankan government continues to hold a majority stake—approximately 88% of the company’s shares. The remaining shares are dispersed among private entities and individual shareholders. In practice, the chairperson of the board is almost invariably a government appointee, often a former senior official or political ally, reinforcing the perception of political patronage at the top.
Source of funding and budget
ANCL is primarily funded through advertising, subscription revenues, and select government contracts. Revenues were estimated at LKR 3 billion (US $20 million) in 2018. The company reported a net loss of LKR 217 million in 2020—worsening from the previous year, according to audit records. While audited 2024 figures have not been publicly released, press reports in early 2025 indicate continued financial stress due to declining circulation and rising costs.
Editorial independence
Given the state’s dominant shareholding and direct involvement in leadership appointments, editorial control is widely perceived to lie firmly with the government. Journalists and industry analysts interviewed for this report by the Media and Journalism Research Center report that ANCL coverage tends to mirror official messaging, and dissenting voices are seldom given space.
No legally mandated safeguards or third‑party oversight mechanisms are in place to guarantee editorial autonomy. A parliamentary committee in March 2025 recommended establishing an independent editorial board, but as of June 2025, no formal implementation has occurred.
July 2025