The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged Sri Lanka’s government to honour its pledge to uphold freedom of expression.

In a statement, the IFJ has raised concerns over a Sri Lankan minister directing police to use emergency powers against individuals criticising the country’s president amid the country’s worst natural disaster in decades.

According to the statement, speaking at a meeting with police officers on December 3, the deputy minister of public security, Sunil Watagala, claimed “malicious attacks” against Sri Lanka’s president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and senior ministers were being circulated online, particularly from Sri Lankans residing abroad. During the meeting, the minister warned that if the alleged defamation continued, Sri Lankan authorities

would invoke the Public Security Act. Emergency powers under Section 5 of the Public Security Act allow wide restrictions on information during crises.Despite the minister’s comments, the Sri Lankan President has pledged that the Act would not be used to silence legitimate criticism or dissent.

The SLWJA has criticised the minister’s proposed directive as an attempt to suppress freedom of expression under the guise of disaster management.

The directive comes as Sri Lanka grapples with responding to the devastating impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, which passed through the island nation on November 28, killing at least 474 people and leaving at least 356 missing. Nearly 1.1 million people have been impacted nationwide, with the president describing the disaster as the most challenging in Sri Lanka’s history.

Amid the disaster, IFJ has been advised by its Sri Lankan affiliates that some journalists and media workers reporting the cyclone’s destruction and its fallout are continuing to place themselves at undue risks for the sake of securing stories. Some media reports had also fallen prey to publishing unverified information, fake news and sensationalist coverage, which only served to exacerbate rather than help recovery efforts. The IFJ strongly advises that media workers follow the IFJ Charter on climate action, which emphasises ethical environmental reporting.

The IFJ and its Sri Lankan affiliates remind journalists of the critical importance of upholding professional reporting and exercising extreme caution while reporting on natural disasters. All information and claims should be thoroughly fact-checked before publication to avoid doing further harm or creating undue stress for an already suffering population. So too, journalists should remain vigilant of their own safety in the course of their reporting and remind that no story is worth dying for.

SLWJA said: “In the backdrop of several prior instances where the government has threatened media freedom during the past year, SLWJA strongly condemns the Deputy Minister’s statement.”

The IFJ said: “The media has an enormous responsibility to report and deliver professional and ethical news, especially in times of crisis, and the government should continue to support the public’s right to know and its right to freedom of expression.”

HUTCH Sri Lanka has donated Rs 60 million to the ‘Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund’, instantly stepping forward to support the nation rebuilding following Cyclone Ditwah.

The funds from the CK Hutchison Group subsidiary will help rebuild public infrastructure and restore livelihoods across affected communities.

In addition to this financial pledge, HUTCH has taken direct action to maintain connectivity, offering free calls, data, and SMS, deploying mobile charging booths, and airlifting engineers to swiftly repair network towers.

“Our foremost responsibility in a crisis is to keep people contactable and safe,” said Saumitra Gupta, CEO of HUTCH Sri Lanka.

“Supported by our Group, we are proud to stand with Sri Lanka throughout this journey of recovery. We thank TRCSL, the Digital Ministry, Defence Forces, and the Government for their prompt and decisive efforts to rebuild Sri Lanka.”

Through this donation and its sustained relief efforts, HUTCH reaffirms its commitment as a long-term partner in advancing Sri Lanka’s digital future and supporting its communities in times of urgent need.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Sri Lanka has issued fresh public health guidance on the safe handling of dead animals in the aftermath of widespread flooding, warning that carcasses pose significant health risks.

According to the advisory, animals may die from drowning, disease or injury during disasters, and improper handling of their remains can contaminate food and water sources and trigger outbreaks.

The WHO has urged the public not to touch, collect or consume dead fish found after floods and to seek instructions from Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) or local authorities before dealing with any animal carcasses.

Cleanup teams have been advised to wear protective gear including gloves, boots and masks, and to maintain strict hygiene, with thorough handwashing using soap and clean water after contact with flood-affected areas.

The organization also stressed the need to keep food and water supplies secure and to ensure carcasses are removed promptly to prevent contamination. Residents working outdoors in inundated areas have been encouraged to use mosquito repellent due to heightened vector-borne disease risks.