Sri Lanka: New government must uphold press freedom, says press freedom collective

A coalition of trade unions, media advocacy groups, and journalist representative bodies have urged the newly-elected government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to uphold press freedom and challenge a culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in Sri Lanka. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), and the Free Media Movement (FMM), in stressing the historic importance of this transition and urging Dissanayake and the ruling National People's Power (NPP) coalition to stand by their commitments in service of democracy, the media, and justice.

[Link]

In a joint statement addressed to Sri Lanka's newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka on January 13, seventeen media workers and union organisations call on the National People's Power leadership to continue efforts in protecting media freedoms for Sri Lankan journalists. Credit: AFP

Following Sri Lanka's Parliamentary and Presidential elections in 2024, a coalition of 25 civil society organisations, unions, and media bodies, including the IFJ, FMETU, FMM, and SLWJA, called on the ruling NPP coalition and President Dissanayake to uphold press freedom and human rights in Sri Lanka through their terms in office.

The letter comes as Sri Lanka's media community commemorates Black January, an annual remembrance of colleagues killed and disappeared between 2004 and 2010, with those responsible escaping with impunity in a vast majority of cases. Other attacks on the press, including harassment, abductions, intimidation, and assault continue to be met with inaction from authorities, if state forces are not directly responsible. In a report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a lack of accountability for historic and current human rights violations was identified as a significant impediment to human rights in Sri Lanka.

In the NPP's election manifesto, the coalition criticised what it described as a partisan mass-media, announcing its plans to safeguard the professional integrity of journalists. In its principles, the coalition committed to remove sections of the controversial 2024 Online Safety Act impacting freedom of expression, while reviewing existing media legislation with a focus on press freedom.

Securing over 70 per cent of seats in November's parliamentary elections, the NPP campaign promised to deliver sweeping reforms, including the enactment of a new constitution and legal reform amid the ongoing impacts of the country's worst financial crisis. The election marks a significant departure from Sri Lanka's recent political history, which has been dominated by the Rajapaksa political dynasty.

In the joint letter, the 25 organisations called on the new government to:

1. Reopen or initiate impartial and swift investigations to ensure accountability in cases of violence against the press under previous governments;

2. Ensure that law enforcement agencies end the harassment and intimidation of journalists;

3. Repeal the Online Safety Act;

4. Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act;

5. Amend the Parliamentary (Powers and Privileges) Act;

6. Amend the Personal Data Protection Act; and

7. Establish an independent, self-regulatory media commission.

The FMETU said: "Journalists In Sri Lanka often practice self-censorship due to fear of reprisals. This can lead to underreporting of important stories and a lack of critical coverage of the Government."

The SLWJA said: "After the current government assumed power, there was widespread hope for a new era of freedom of speech and expression in Sri Lanka. However, these hopes are rapidly diminishing. […] The SLWJA urges the government to honour its commitments to safeguard media freedom and ensure the protection of journalists. Immediate steps must be taken to repeal oppressive legislation and foster an environment where the fundamental right to freedom of expression is respected and upheld."

The FMM said: "The Free Media Movement commends President Dissanayake and the National People's Power for their stated commitment to fostering a free and independent press in Sri Lanka. At this critical juncture, we urge the president to translate these commitments into concrete actions by ensuring justice for crimes against journalists, repealing repressive laws like the Online Safety Act, the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act, and fostering an environment where journalists can work without fear of harassment or intimidation."

The IFJ said: "The IFJ and its affiliates stand resolute in their defence of press freedom and accountability for Sri Lanka's media. Justice for the families of colleagues killed, disappeared, or subject to other violence and attacks cannot be delayed any further, and the new Dissanayake government must ensure that it addresses the failings of its predecessors to combat impunity. At the same time, the NPP coalition must uphold democracy and commit to creating a media landscape free of laws affecting the fundamental freedoms of expression and the press."

Read the full letter here.