News

Without media freedom there cannot be democracy, says Karu Jayasuriya

Published

4 years ago

2023/01/21

Without media freedom there can be no democracy, former Speaker and National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said recently at a programme to commemorate abducted, missing and murdered journalists.

“Certain rights in a democratic society may have limitations in some instances, but if there is no media freedom, there cannot be democracy in a country. Sri Lanka has had a progressive media culture, with a history of almost two centuries,” he said.

Jayasuriya added that Sri Lanka also has a dark history, full of very unpleasant tragedies, when it comes to media freedom. The last few decades have been a particularly dark period and, during that era, journalists were killed, abducted, and retaliated, through various atrocities,” he said.

These are some excerpts of his speech: “Its impact was experienced in every area, be it the North and South, or East. We are well aware that the number of journalists, who were killed and disappeared, is many. Among them are Lasantha Wickramatunga, Prageeth Eknaligoda, Taraki Dharmeratnam Sivaram and Mylvaganam Nimalarajan. Many other journalists, such as Keith Noir, Poddala Jayantha and Gnanasundaram Kuganathan, were subjected to brutal attacks, during this period.

“At that time, the media institutions also faced a serious dangerous situation. There were instances where bomb attacks were carried out on media institutions, while some were set on fire. Among them were media institutions like Sirasa, Udayan and Siyatha.

“We have been talking about these tragedies for many years, but justice has not been served to any of them, until today. Why is that happening? We see the reason for this is that we have failed to reach a consensus on many nationally important issues. As the NMSJ, we always try to bring people together to create that consensus.

“Not only on democracy, people’s freedom, and security, we still pay less attention in carrying out many political and economic reforms that are necessary to get out of the serious economic crisis which has emerged in the country, at present, which we see as a national weakness.

“In order to create a better future, with no such dark eras, we, as a country, have to act with a common goal. We have also fulfilled many responsibilities for this. The Right to Information Act was brought, in amid various obstacles. It was of great help for many investigative journalists. During my tenure as Speaker of the Parliament, meetings of the Committee on Public Enterprise and Committee on Public Finance were opened to the media. I would like to emphasise, once again, that we should build a joint exercise among the people of all areas of the South, North, and upcountry, for a common purpose.

“It is my belief that journalists, and media organisations, too, have a great responsibility. As journalists, you can turn a thief into a hero, and a humble person into a thief, or a murderer. It is very important to engage in responsible media use. That is because there is no democracy in an environment where there is no media freedom, and in a society, where there is no responsible media, the country will have to face its consequences. I say this as someone who has an understanding of the depth of the economic and political crisis that our country is facing, at present, and its possible consequences.

Therefore, today we would like to remember the journalists who sacrificed their lives for their profession and were subjected to various harassments. We would also make an appeal that we will rally together to serve justice for all of them.”

All News Advertisement

News

Record 1,600 students take Russian Classical Ballet examination in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

2026/10/18

Priyan

More than 1,600 students sat this year’s Russian Classical Ballet Examination, the largest number ever to take part in the examination in Sri Lanka. Exams were held in Colombo from 5, to 18, October and in Galle on 10 October.

Students aged four and above came from across the island, including Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Negombo, Matara, Kelaniya, Panadura, Wattala, Kiribathgoda, Ratnapura, Kandy, Kurunegala, Bandarawela and Badulla. They are taught by 15 dedicated teachers trained in the Vaganova method, the renowned Russian system of classical ballet training.

They were examined by Dr. Oxana Karnovich of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, a distinguished academic and curator.

The Russian School of Ballet and Dancing was established in 2001 by Michael Ustinov, Buddhapriya Ramanayake and Mrs Chandi Aluvihare, with Mrs Galina Pleshakova as its founding instructor. Today the School is led by Director Madam Maria Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka.

News

Buddhist hierarchy demands prison perks for monk convicts

Published

14 hours ago

2026/10/18

Thilina Walpola

MONETABRIEF– Sri Lanka’s two most senior Buddhist chapters, Malwatte and Asgiriya, demanded special concessions for monks serving prison sentences, following the disrobing of convicted monk Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara in line with established procedures.

The chief prelate of the Asgiriya chapter, Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana, told Prisons Commissioner Senaka Palletenna that Ven. Gnanasara, who is serving a six-year sentence for contempt of court, must be released immediately.

Prison authorities have no power to release or pardon convicts, but Palletenna told the monk in Kandy on Friday that he would convey his request to the relevant government authorities.

“There is no point in talking about this and that… The entire country has been shaken (??????? ) . He must be released,” the Asgiriya chief prelate said.

The Malwatte chief prelate, Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala, appeared to accept the court verdict against Ven. Gnanasara, but asked the prisons chief whether a separate section could be established for convicted monks.

Palletenna noted that a special ward for the clergy already existed at Welikada Prison.

At least 63 convicted Buddhist monks are currently incarcerated within Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, a group of 34 Buddhist monks named in a Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court order to vacate the vicinity of the Presidential Secretariat ended their protest and dispersed after lunch on Friday.The monks are demanding an unconditional pardon for Ven. Gnanasara, who has previously been imprisoned, making him a reconvicted prisoner.

News

Debate on NCM against Speaker postponed indefinitely

Published

14 hours ago

2026/10/18

Thilina Walpola

The debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, submitted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has been postponed indefinitely pending the Attorney General’s opinion on certain technical issues in the motion.

Government representatives raised the matter at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, pointing out that several provisions of the motion required clarification and that the Attorney General’s advice should be obtained.

As obtaining the opinion would take time, the debate could not be scheduled for the next parliamentary week, parliamentary sources said.

Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunatilaka said a date for the debate would be decided after the Attorney General’s advice was received.

Meanwhile, Parliament is scheduled to meet from October 20 to 23, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera announced.

The parliamentary business for the week was finalised at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held on Friday (16) under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih.

On each sitting day, the period from 9.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be allocated for parliamentary business under Items 1 to 6 of Standing Order 22. Questions for Oral Answers will be taken up from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by questions under Standing Order 27(2) from 11 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

On Tuesday, October 20, an Opposition-sponsored Adjournment Motion will be debated from 11.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

On Wednesday, October 21, a resolution under the Public Debt Management Act and a Supplementary Estimate will be taken up for debate and approval from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual reports of five statutory institutions will subsequently be presented for approval without debate, while questions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

On Thursday, October 22, the Second Reading debates on two Bills to amend the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Bills Nos. 79 and 80) will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual reports of five statutory institutions will then be taken up for approval without debate, followed by an Opposition-sponsored Adjournment Motion from 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

On Friday, October 23, the Second Reading debate on the Elimination of Rabies and Registration of Dogs Bill will be held from 11.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Government-sponsored Adjournment Motion will be debated during the final half-hour of the sitting.