CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, has called on the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to end the ongoing harassment of journalists and activists, as well as the suppression of protests.
In a statement, CIVICUS noted that a year after coming to power, the government has failed to reform restrictive laws or address accountability for past abuses. It stressed that some of the government’s measures are in violation of Sri Lanka’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees fundamental freedoms including association, expression, and peaceful assembly. These rights are also enshrined in Sri Lanka’s Constitution.
CIVICUS currently rates the state of civil space in Sri Lanka as “repressed.” According to the alliance, over the past year there has been an increase in regulations and bureaucratic requirements for registering and operating civil society organizations, accompanied by the militarization of civil administration. In the northern and eastern regions, where the civil war took place, CSOs are under heightened surveillance by intelligence agencies.
The report adds that human rights defenders and activists continue to face intimidation and harassment, while journalists critical of the government, particularly those in the northern and eastern coastal areas, are subjected to ongoing surveillance and harassment by police and military authorities.
“For a year, the Dissanayake government has continued a disturbing legacy of repression, erecting barriers to civil society, harassing human rights defenders, and silencing critical voices in the media. This crackdown on freedom must stop. The government must act now to protect the rights of activists and journalists and allow them to work without fear, interference, or reprisal,” said Joseph Benedict, Asia Researcher at CIVICUS.
CIVICUS also expressed concern over the government’s failure to repeal or review restrictive laws in line with international standards. Despite repeated promises to end the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), it continues to be used against dissidents and minority communities without credible evidence.
The alliance further noted that the Online Protection Act, which does not comply with international human rights standards and has created fear among rights groups, remains in force. This, it said, contradicts the pledges made by the National People’s Power during the presidential election to repeal the law entirely.
