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epa11780482 Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (R) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) shake hands as they pose for a photograph prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India 16 December 2024. Disanayaka, traveling to India on his first bilateral visit after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka, will hold discussions with local leadership on issues of mutual interest. EPA-EFE/HARISH TYAGI
January 14, 2025 – Sri Lanka –
Following the election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the rise of the National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, a coalition of 25 media and civil society organizations is urging the new Sri Lankan government to act decisively to protect press freedom. The Press Freedom Collective, which includes the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), and the Free Media Movement (FMM), issued a public statement outlining urgent reforms.
The collective calls for an end to impunity for crimes against journalists, specifically demanding fresh, impartial investigations into unresolved cases such as the murder of Dharmeratnam Sivaram in 2005 and the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda in 2010. These cases, emblematic of a broader culture of violence and intimidation, remain unresolved years later, reflecting a pattern of state inaction and silence.
The statement also urges the repeal or revision of repressive laws that stifle freedom of expression. These include the Online Safety Act of 2024, which critics say gives the government sweeping powers to censor content and intimidate journalists, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, historically used to detain media workers under vague charges. The group also advocates for amending the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act and the Personal Data Protection Act, which they believe could be used to surveil and punish journalists.
The coalition welcomed the NPP’s manifesto promise to establish an independent, self-regulatory media commission to protect journalistic independence and limit political interference in media affairs. They stress that such a commission must be formed through inclusive dialogue with journalists, media stakeholders, and civil society.
Sri Lanka’s new leadership has a rare opportunity to restore press freedom and rebuild public trust. The Press Freedom Collective’s demands reflect longstanding grievances of journalists and media workers. Real reform will require more than promises—it will require dismantling decades-old systems of impunity, repealing repressive laws, and ensuring that media professionals can work without fear or censorship in a truly democratic society.
Reference –
https://island.lk/new-government-must-uphold-press-freedom-says-press-freedom-collective/
