News
Young journos seek UN intervention against new data protection law overriding RTI
Days ahead of UN Human Rights Council sessions to commence on Feb 28, the Sri Lanka Young Journalists’ Association has requested UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan to study Sri Lanka’s proposed data protection law.
The association has raised concerns over the Personal Data Protection Bill that was tabled in Parliament last month.
In a letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan, they said the bill compromises the rights of journalists and limits the enjoyment of the right to information.
The new bill if passed by parliament grants power to conduct inquiries and issues punishments by an institution that is not a court of law, Committee Member of the association Tharindu Jayawardena told the Sunday Island.
“We are said to have a world class Right to Information (RTI) Act which was passed in 2016 by the former government. Now, this government is trying to reverse those benefits to an ancient terminology by including a clause on Official Secrecy,” Jayawardena said.
In a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Association pointed out that the most serious concern is that the draft law compromises the rights of journalists and limits the enjoyment of the right to information.
The Association highlighted that another serious concern is that it grants powers to conduct inquiries and issue punishments by one and same institution that is not a court of law.
Thereby, the association has called on Irene Khan to undertake an analysis of the draft bill and its implications on the rights and rule of law, and make interventions with the Sri Lankan Government to prevent any harmful effects.
The letter to Khan said: A draft law (bill) for Personal Data Protection was gazetted on 25th November 2021 and tabled in parliament on 20th January 2022.
The gazette and draft bill came to our notice quite late and article 121 of the constitution provides only a week to challenge a draft bill that’s tabled in Parliament at the Supreme Court. We attempted to challenge some provisions of the bill by e-filing a petition on 27th January and filing a hardcopy petition on 28th January, but both petitions were dismissed on the technicality of being delayed.
Subsequently, we sent a letter to all Members of Parliament, the Right to Information Commission, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the Attorney General, and other relevant authorities about our concerns on 2nd February 2022.
In that letter, we have set out in detail our concerns and suggestions to improve the bill. Amongst the most serious concerns we have is that the draft law compromises the rights of journalists, limits the enjoyment of the right to information, and grants powers to conduct inquiries and issue punishments by one and same institution that is not a court of law.
Unconfirmed information received by us indicates that the parliamentary debate on the draft law may happen on 22nd February 2022 after which it is likely to be enacted as a law, which cannot be challenged in a Sri Lankan court.
We kindly request you to undertake an analysis of the draft bill and its implications on rights and rule of law and make interventions with the Sri Lankan government to prevent any harmful effects.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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