The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) and the Free Media Movement (FMM) have condemned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) summoning of Aruna newspaper Editor-in-Chief Mahinda Ileperuma over a front-page story published on November 19, 2025.
The article in question reported that obtaining a police report now requires certification not only from a Grama Niladhari but also from the Chairperson of the People’s Committee, raising concerns over potential politicization of public processes.
Ileperuma was called in for questioning by the CID on November 24.
In a statement, the SLWJA said the action undermines fundamental standards of press freedom and demonstrates the government’s “willingness to intimidate and suppress the media.”
The association warned that media suppression poses risks to the wider population and called on all stakeholders to defend freedom of speech and expression.
The statement urged the government to halt the CID action and respect legitimate dissent.
The FMM described the use of the Parliamentary Privileges Act as a tool for media repression.
The organization noted that the law, which had long been criticized, should not be used to intimidate journalists, particularly given that the ruling political movement had previously opposed such repressive measures.
FMM also said that if the news report is inaccurate, the police minister should provide clarification.
If the report is accurate, the practice of requiring certification from potentially biased local officials should be stopped.
The organization warned that using the Parliamentary Privileges Act or police summons in this manner could set a politically dangerous precedent.
“President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power Government can fulfill their promise to eradicate corruption only through such reforms,” the FMM statement said.
Both media groups stressed that the government should allow journalists to perform their duties without fear of harassment or arbitrary action.
Leave a comment