News
Media slams govt.’s bid to use Emergency to silence critics
Media organisations have denounced Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala after he urged law enforcement authorities to use emergency regulations to take action against those posting allegedly defamatory content about the President and senior ministers on social media.
The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) yesterday issued a strongly worded statement condemning Watagala’s remarks, warning that they posed a direct threat to freedom of expression and media rights, particularly at a time when the country is struggling through a national disaster.
Watagala made the controversial comments on 2 December during a meeting at the Malabe Divisional Secretariat attended by government officials and Deputy Media Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna. During the discussion, the Deputy Minister claimed that a coordinated effort was underway to spread distorted or false information about the disaster situation through physical means, social media, and even AI-generated content. He also alleged that individuals based overseas were contributing to such activity.
According to the SLWJA, Watagala went further, directing police officers present at the meeting to treat those posting such content “not merely as suspects but as offenders” and to take action against them under emergency regulations currently in force.
The SLWJA accused the government of abandoning the democratic principles it once campaigned on, noting that individuals who publicly championed free speech in the past were now attempting to clamp down on it. The association said this was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of growing state pressure on journalists and media platforms over the past year.
It warned that attempts to criminalise commentary through emergency powers especially during a disaster constituted a grave violation of constitutional rights. The union urged the government to respect democratic freedoms and refrain from using disaster-related powers to silence criticism.
In a separate statement, Internet Media Action (IMA) also expressed “strong objection” to Watagala’s comments, describing them as a “serious threat to freedom of expression”, which it said is a fundamental right guaranteed to all Sri Lankan citizens.
The IMA said Watagala’s assertion that “malicious character assassination attacks” were being carried out against the President and others through social media or other media channels, and that such acts should attract severe punishment under emergency law, represented “an abuse of power”. The organisation also criticised the Deputy Minister’s claim that false opinions or misrepresentations whether physical, online, or generated by AI could not be permitted.
Using emergency regulations imposed for disaster management to suppress political criticism amounted to “theft of fundamental rights”, the statement said, adding that the move was aimed at deliberately restricting dissent and instilling fear among social media users.
“Criticism is not a crime,” the IMA said, warning that such rhetoric could lead to widespread intimidation and self-censorship among digital activists and ordinary citizens.
The group demanded that Watagala withdraw his statement unconditionally and insisted that freedom of expression cannot be curtailed under emergency laws or any other legal framework. It also called on the government to clarify its stance on the protection of fundamental rights amid increasing concerns from civil society.
Parliament:
… sexual harassment claims dismissed
Recommendations made by retired High Court Judge Ms. Sujatha Alahapperuma, following an inquiry into claims by a female employee of the Department of Information Systems and Management of Parliament, regarding sexual harassment, denial of due salary increments and other forms of harassment, were yet to be implemented, sources familiar with the investigation said.
The retired HC Judge handed over the report to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne on 24 November, 2025. Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera was also present on that occasion.
The retired judge has recommended that administrative decisions be taken expeditiously to grant her salary increments due for 2024 and 2025, reevaluation of all employees attached to the Department of Information Systems and Management and keep them under close scrutiny and strengthening of the ‘Helpdesk’ to meet the requirements.
Sources said that none of the recommendations have been implemented and the concerned employee in spite of still being the Senior Helpdesk coordinator remained attached to the Supplies and Services Office. She had been ordered to report to the Supplies and Services Office in January 2025 following a continuing dispute with the top management of the Department of Information Systems and Management.
Parliamentary Staff Advisory Committee on 25.07.2025 decided to conduct an external investigation into the issue after the employee refused to accept the outcome of the internal inquiry conducted in the wake of SJB lawmaker Mujibur Rahman raising the issue in Parliament.
The retired judge has emphasised the urgent need to take tangible measures to address administrative issues with a view to enhance discipline and human resources management among other issues.
However, the retired judge has declared that the complainant or any other female employee attached to the of Department of Information Systems and Management hadn’t been subjected to any form of sexual harassment as alleged.
The retired judge further asserted that the complainant had been prejudicially treated by two interview boards when she appeared before them seeking posts of Database Administrator and Parliament Officer.
The retired judge has also asserted that the Supplies and Services Office where the complaint continued to serve even now was not suitable and not in line with her qualifications. Some of those who had appeared before the retired judge during the inquiry claimed that was a temporary transfer. However, the report dismissed that claim declaring that transfer appeared to have been done outside acceptable procedure and her increments stopped without giving any justifiable reason.
The retired judge has stated that for want of proper procedures and systems, the administration seems to be in turmoil.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe, taken into custody by the CID, was remanded until today (30) following his production before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court.
The investigation was launched after the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force received information regarding an illegally assembled taxi, which was later handed over to the CID for further inquiries.
Preliminary findings revealed that the vehicle’s registered chassis number had been altered and documents submitted to obtain a “weight certificate.” These documents were then used to assign a registration number to the taxi, while the chassis modification files were concealed. False declarations were allegedly made to facilitate the fraudulent assembly, with Commissioner General Amarasinghe accused of aiding and abetting the operation.
The suspect was taken into custody on the afternoon of Friday (27) by a CID team at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Road, Colombo 7.
In parallel, the Bribery and Corruption Commission has launched a separate probe into the matter.
The initial investigation was conducted under the direction of SSP Indika Weerasinghe, Head of the Central Anti-Corruption Task Force, along with DIG Rohan Olugala and Senior DIG of CID Kamal Ariyawansa.
BY Norman Palihawadane
A public petition demanding the resignation of Kumara Jayakody, Minister of Power and Energy, over alleged irregularities in coal imports was launched yesterday (29) in Maharagama.
The initiative was organised by the Electricity Consumers’ Association.
Addressing the gathering, the Association’s secretary, Sanjeewa Dhammika, said the Minister was facing allegations related to coal imports, while concerns have also been raised over the poor performance of both the Minister and the Ministry Secretary. He said the petition’s primary demand is the immediate removal of the Minister from office.
Dhammika added that signatures for the petition will also be collected in front of the Colombo Fort Railway Station.
by Anuradha Hiripitiyage
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Oil tops $116 a barrel as Iran accuses US of preparing invasion
Iranian attack damages Kuwait power and desalination plant, kills worker
Warm weather conditions prevailing over the island are expected to continue
Inquiry into female employee’s complaint: Retired HC Judge’s recommendations ignored
Motor Traffic CG remanded
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