Journalists and human rights activists have expressed concern over the proposed ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTA)’ in Sri Lanka. Claiming that several clauses of the bill are unconstitutional and against freedom of expression and freedom of the press, the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association has filed a petition in the country’s Supreme Court. The World International Press Club (WIPC) has expressed support for this initiative.
The bill was presented in the Sri Lankan Parliament on October 6, 2023. Later, on October 18, the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association filed a special determinative petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the bill. The petition has requested consideration of amendments to several clauses of the bill and its approval by a two-thirds majority in Parliament and, where necessary, through a referendum in accordance with constitutional obligations.
The organization alleges that if some provisions of the bill are implemented, the protection of journalistic professional sources, investigative journalism, truth-assembly, freedom of expression and civil liberties may be threatened. Concerns have also been raised about the expansion of powers of search and arrest without a warrant, prescribed detention, and excessive powers of the executive authority.
The petition was filed by President of the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association Ranga Bandanayake and Executive Committee member Lakshman Muthuthanthrige. The Attorney General and the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala have been made respondents. The petition was filed under the guidance of Senior Counsel Lakshan Dias and lawyer Dayani Panditharathna.
Support from WIPC and International Community:
Expressing support for this initiative of Sri Lankan journalists, President of the World International Press Club and President of Dhaka Press Club Obayedur Kamal said, “We express solidarity with the Sri Lanka Working Journalist Association. They are raising a justified demand to protect the rights of journalists, freedom of the press and democracy. We hope they will get justice and freedom of the press will be ensured.”
General Secretary of the organization and Chairman of Pakistan Journalists Association Mian Iftikhar Ali said, “The filing of a writ petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the bill is an effective attempt to protect constitutional rights. It is the responsibility of every journalist to limit the power of the state and protect the rights of the people.”
WIPC’s organizational secretary and prominent journalist Ariful Islam said, “We believe that this bill will try to curb the independence of journalists. Journalists should be able to fearlessly bring out the truth and they should not be harassed while performing their professional duties.”
Voicing concern over the protection of journalists’ rights, the leadership of the World International Press Club believes that freedom of journalists is not only a professional right of journalists, but also a right of the people to know the truth. They demanded that if any bill violates freedom of expression, undermines the independence of the press, and the professional safety of journalists and freedom of the media should be ensured.
They hope that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka will consider the petition with due importance and will give a verdict to protect constitutional and democratic rights.
The organization calls upon the international journalistic community to show solidarity with Sri Lankan journalists, to ensure press freedom and independence. There is a need for mutual cooperation and united voice among journalists’ organizations across the country.
Also expressing solidarity with the initiative, journalists from Sri Lanka including Lasantha Ruhunage and Mithun Jawardhane; from Nepal Sunil Aryal; from Bangladesh Anisur Rahman; from India Iftekhar Ahmed Ansari; from Malaysia Sheikh Mahmud Hoque; from Canada Kim Boalan, Paul Victor and Marin Gup, from India Dilip Ray and Kalikata… and Sampa Das have called upon every country to create a field for journalism in the international journalistic community.
