Civil groups urge Sri Lanka new president to uphold press freedom – JURIST

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), along with 24 civil society organizations, called on newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to prioritize press freedom in his administration. The groups, in a letter addressed to the president, highlighted urgent measures to address decades of violence, intimidation, and legal repression faced by journalists in Sri Lanka.

The organizations urged the government to address impunity for crimes against journalists, including murder and abductions, particularly those committed during the 26-year civil war in the country. They stressed the importance of reopening or initiating investigations, including high-profile cases like the 2009 murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and the 2010 disappearance of cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda. The groups called for adherence to international investigative standards, such as the UN Minnesota Protocol.

Another significant demand is the repeal of repressive legislation like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Online Safety Act, which critics say have been misused to target critical journalists, especially those from Tamil and Muslim minorities. RSF described the PTA as a tool of intimidation and censorship, while the Online Safety Act, passed in early 2024, has been criticized for enabling disproportionate restrictions on freedom of expression.

The letter also proposed structural reforms to ensure media independence, including the establishment of a self-regulatory media commission and greater editorial autonomy for state-funded media. Additionally, the groups sought amendments to the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act and the Personal Data Protection Act to enhance transparency and protect journalists’ rights.

Célia Mercier, head of RSF’s South Asia Desk, emphasized the urgency of these measures. “Sri Lanka is in a worrying situation that calls for urgent actions to ensure journalists can work freely and safely,” she said.

President Dissanayake, elected on September 21, 2024, leads a nation that ranks 150th out of 180 countries in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The letter praised the manifesto commitments of the president’s National People’s Power (NPP) coalition to promote free media and accountability for past crimes but emphasized the pressing need for action.