Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the current government is attempting to suppress freedom of expression and media independence, pushing the country towards authoritarian rule.
In a video message, Premadasa stressed that in a democratic country, the four pillars safeguarding democracy are the legislature, the executive, the judiciary, and the independent media. He claimed that the government is currently using the police to violate both the democratic rights of citizens and the independence of the police force itself.
He further warned that the government is working to establish a police state that deprives citizens of access to truthful information. “For democracy to be protected, media freedom must be safeguarded, and space must be given to independent media. Instead, the government is interfering with independent media, using the police to suppress and intimidate journalists,” he said.
Premadasa noted that even when independent media present reasoned and evidence-based views, the government seeks to silence them, turning a democratic country into a police state. “Do not suppress the voice of the silent majority, the independent media,” he urged.
He emphasized that independent media represent the voice of the silent majority and must not be curtailed. “Media repression is a step towards authoritarian rule, and the people did not give their mandate to create an authoritarian regime or a police state. If the government attempts to abolish democratic rights, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will stand as the opposition against it,” he added.
The Opposition Leader also accused the government of interfering with police independence, saying, “Political interference has undermined the independence of the police, making it impossible for them to serve impartially. Suppressing freedom of expression is an attempt to lead the country towards authoritarian rule.”
Premadasa stressed that the media has the right to reveal the truth, and any interference violates the rights of Sri Lanka’s 22 million citizens. He made these remarks on Thursday (25 Dec) in a special statement concerning government pressure on independent media.
