COLOMBO – The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) has issued a stinging condemnation of the Presidential Media Unit, following an incident where a high-ranking official allegedly assaulted and intimidated two state-media journalists.
In a formal letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on April 23, the SLWJA detailed an altercation involving Mr. Chandana Suriyabandara, the Media Advisor to the Presidential Media Unit. The association alleges that Mr. Suriyabandara obstructed and physically assaulted two journalists from Lake House (Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd) while they were covering the ‘Ehipassiko’ Monk Peace March.
Allegations of State Repression
The SLWJA highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that the victims are employees of a state-owned institution operating under the current administration. The association accused the Media Advisor of overstepping his official authority and showing undue favoritism toward private media entities at the expense of professional safety.
The letter further frames this incident not as an isolated scuffle, but as a symptom of a broader “state machinery of repression.” The association linked the assault to the continued enforcement of controversial legislation, including:
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The Online Safety Act (OSA)
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The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)
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The proposed National Media Policy
Call for Accountability
The SLWJA expressed profound regret over the incident, suggesting it reflects poorly on the government’s current media policy. “It is not the media or journalists of this country that should be suppressed by your state,” the statement read, “but rather officials who carry out such thuggish acts, thereby bringing disrepute to the state.”
The association has urged President Dissanayake to take immediate action to halt the use of state power against the press and to guarantee a secure environment for journalists to work with dignity.
Copies of the protest letter were also sent to the Minister of Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, calling for a swift investigation into the advisor’s conduct.
