The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) has condemned Presidential Media Advisor Chandana Suriyabandara, accusing him of obstructing, assaulting and intimidating two Lake House journalists covering the ongoing ‘Ehipassiko’ Monk Peace Walk.
In a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the association described the incident as “thuggish and atrocious conduct” and said it reflected the government’s media policy.
“We urge your immediate attention to halt such thuggish acts that utilize state power to suppress media freedom in Sri Lanka, and we request that you ensure a conducive environment where journalists can perform their duties with professional dignity,” the letter stated.
The SLWJA alleged the assault was part of a broader pattern of repression, linking it to restrictive laws including the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Online Safety Act, the first case under which reached court earlier this week.
“The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association stresses that it is not the media or journalists of this country that should be suppressed by your state, but rather officials such as your Media Advisor, who continue to carry out such thuggish acts, thereby bringing disrepute to the state,” the association added.
The Lake House group publishes the Daily News, Dinamina and Thinakaran, and its journalists were covering the peace walk on official assignment when the incident occurred. The government has not publicly responded to the allegations against Suriyabandara.
