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.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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