Abstract:
Suicide is defined as the action of killing one self intentionally. In modem Sri lanka society,
it is stated that the rate committing suicide within the last 30 years has risen by 32.5 %.
Prevalence of factors both internal and external are identified as the causes for committing
suicide. Once the factors are controlled and avoided , the rate of suicide also decrease. The
responsibility of doing so lies on the hands of the whole society including the media, which
contribute in making a considerable influence on the minds of people. The objective of the
research is to find out weather the media reporting may influence in increasing the suicide
rate in Sri Lanka. To this end primary and secondary data was collected to formulate a study
composed with both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Previously published news
articles were mainly used as a method of secondary data collection. In conclusion although
the responsibility of making suicide rate decrease lies upon the whole society, the media
reporting significantly contribute in increasing the rate of suicide in the Sri Lanka .