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FMM calls on govt. to stop using CID to suppress media

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The Free Media Movement yesterday called on the government to immediately stop what it called the suppression of journalists using the CID.

In a statement issued to the media the FMM said: Tharindu Uduwaragedara, a journalist, media activist and human rights activist, has been summoned to appear before the CID on 28 June 2022. The Free Media Movement, considers this as an extension of the ongoing anti-democratic movement implemented through the CID to crack down on media activists and free-thinking activists, and vehemently opposes and strongly condemns these actions.

When conducting further inquiries regarding this summons, it was reported that the summons has been made in connection with a complaint lodged by the Air Force Intelligence regarding an investigation on a YouTube channel called ‘Satahana’ maintained by Tharindu. No specific news item was indicated on the complaint, while the majority of the videos posted on the channel were reported to be under investigation stating that there was a discrepancy between their content and the headlines used.

It is clear from the explanations provided that this is an arbitrary investigation carried out without any basic understanding of journalism. Special units such as the ‘Criminal Investigation Department’ are operated at the expense of public funds in a country, not for such ridiculous purposes but for serious criminal investigations that require specific expertise. Over the past 18 months, the Free Media Movement has continued to monitor activities against journalists, social activists and citizens who have exercised their right to freedom of expression of police units, including the Criminal Investigation Department and the Terrorism Investigation Unit (TID). It has been clear that most of these actions against journalists have been without any justifiable reason and a clear violation of media freedom and their fundamental right to freedom of expression. It needs to be stated specifically, that these divisions failed to provide clear evidence even in the few instances in which legal action was initiated. The case against the poet Ahnaf Jazeem is the closest example of an incident that has brought disrepute to Sri Lanka even internationally.

In the past two months, activists of the public agitation against the President and the current government, as well as several journalists and social media activists who have been active contributors, have been summoned to the CID for questioning, and even lawyers representing the rights of the protesters have been questioned. The Free Media Movement has repeatedly pointed out that this seriously threatens freedom of expression, including media freedom of journalists.

At a time when international assistance is essential to save Sri Lanka from its unfortunate situation, the violation of fundamental rights by the CID is a serious matter.

Therefore, we urge the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Security, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, the Inspector General of Police and other authorities to immediately stop this arbitrary action of the CID of summoning and interrogating those who use their freedom of expression through the media or any other medium.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura

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The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district

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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order

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Suresh Sallay

Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.

“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.

“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.

“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.

“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”

“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.

As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.

As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.

I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.

Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.

For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.

Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.

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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme

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Yoshitha

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.

The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.

According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.

The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.

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