News
GL warns of govt. offensive against media, questions role of ex-CJ’s commission
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Opposition spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (27) warned of a major government offensive against the media to neutralise print and electronic media ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next year.
The former External Affairs Minister told a media briefing at the SLPP rebel group’s Nawala office that the proposed creation of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission for electronic media, Online Safety Bill and Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, PC, posed a threat to media freedom.
The former Law Professor said that Dep’s 10-member Commission that had been tasked to thoroughly review all current election laws and regulations, conduct investigations, inquiries and assessments and subsequently make recommendations for essential amendments to align these laws with contemporary requirements was also asked to make recommendations as regards the media.
Prof. Peiris questioned the rationale in Dep’s Commission asked to submit recommendations pertaining to media. The government has said that the Commission would make recommendations for the formulation of media standards to guide the appropriate use of media by political parties and independent groups. The Commission has been entrusted with completing this comprehensive process within a six-month timeframe.
The Commission consists of retired Justice Priyasath Dep, PC, Suntharam Arumainayaham, Senanayake Alisandaralage, Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara, PC, Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera, Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem, Ms. Sagarica Delgoda, Ms. Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando, Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo and Alan Carmichael David.
Referring to the stalled Online Safety Bill, Prof. Peiris said that 51 petitions had been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of that Bill. A three-member bench of Supreme Court judges in terms of Article 120 of the Constitution declared that sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13,14, 15,16,17,18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27,28,29, 30,31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45, 53 and 56 could be approved as mentioned in the Bill, if passed by a special majority of two-third including the absent Members of the Parliament, according to the provisions mentioned in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.
Prof. Peiris said that if the said articles were amended at the committee stage as proposed by the Supreme Court the Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The National List MP said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government seemed hell-bent on neutralizing the media at any cost.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya yesterday sad that the Executive Presidency would be abolished, in line with the NPP’s election manifesto.
Speaking in Parliament, in response to a question raised under Standing Order 27/2 by Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Prime Minister said the abolition would take place through a proposed new Constitution.
She added that preliminary work on drafting the new Constitution had already begun, with previous committee reports and other proposals being studied to guide the process.
“A concept paper on the draft will be presented to the Cabinet,” Amarasuriya said, noting that a formal study has been initiated on abolishing the Executive Presidency.
She said that the move cannot be implemented without introducing a new Constitution.
Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday that the suspension of duties imposed on Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director of the National Hospital, amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
Raising the issue during parliamentary proceedings, Premadasa, who is also the SJB Leader, questioned the decision to suspend the senior medical officer for issuing a statement to the media, particularly on matters relating to children’s medicines.
He said health was a fundamental right and noted that two children had reportedly died, stressing that the focus should be on accountability over the incident rather than penalising a medical professional for speaking out.
Premadasa criticised the authorities for suspending Dr. Bellana solely for communicating with the media, asking whether such action constituted justice for families who had lost their children.The Opposition Leader said silencing officials, who raise concerns, undermines fundamental rights and does not address the underlying issues related to patient safety and public health.
Acting Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana has been suspended.
A letter, issued by the Ministry of Health, says preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Health has revealed that Dr. Bellana, as a government medical officer holding a responsible position, made statements to the media, without approval, in a manner that created a controversial situation in the country and unrest among the public.
The letter further stated that formal disciplinary action will be taken in due course regarding this matter.
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