Veteran journalist and activist for media freedom and social justice, Ms. Seetha Ranjani, passed away. The full condolence message the Media Workers’ Trade Union Federation issued on her passing is below.

Press Statement

February 17, 2025

No more Seetha’s voice! Her ideals endure for centuries!

It is with deep sorrow that the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) mourns the passing of veteran journalist and social activist Seetha Ranjani, who dedicated decades of her life to fearless journalism and the struggle for media freedom in Sri Lanka.

Justice continues to be denied 16 years on from the assassination of editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, with Sri Lanka’s Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe ordering the release of the three suspects detained in relation to the journalist’s murder.

See below, the full statement as a ‘FMETU Sri Lanka’ issued against the decision of the Attorney General of Sri Lanka to release the accused named in a case related to the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga.

How can we forget the individuals who struggled for change, challenged governments and envisioned a better tomorrow? How can we overlook those who sacrificed their lives, faced brutal attacks, endured torture, and suffered countless atrocities simply for speaking the truth?

This is why we call Fort Railway Station 30/01/2025 upon all journalists in Sri Lanka and citizens who dream of a free, democratic society to join us in commemorating Black January.

The Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) has issued a press release expressing concern to the government and relevant authorities regarding the recent legal harassment and restrictions targeting media professionals and media institutions.

Media Statement (FMETU)

Eora / Sydney, January 14, 2024  

A coalition of trade unions, media advocacy groups, and journalist representative bodies have urged the newly-elected government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to uphold press freedom and challenge a culture of impunity for crimes against journalists in Sri Lanka.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Federation of Media Employees and Trade Unions (FMETU), the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), and the Free Media Movement (FMM), in stressing the historical importance of this transition and urging Dissanayake and the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) coalition to stand by their commitments in service of democracy, the media, and justice.

1e, Jan. 2025

The Committee to Protect Journalists on Monday, January 13 joined 24 civil society organizations in urging recently elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to uphold press freedom.

Selavkumar Nilantan was arrested by Sri Lanka police for his report on corruption. The International Federation of Journalists’ full statement against this action is below.

Batticaloa-based Tamil journalist Selvakumar Nilanthan was arrested on October 21 for his reporting on protests against alleged corrupt activity involving a local Sri Lankan government official in 2020, spending a night in an Eravur police cell. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates, the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), in condemning the arrest and urging authorities to ensure the protection of Tamil journalists.

On October 21, Tamil Guardian correspondent Selvakumar Nilanthan was arrested after reporting on protests against alleged corrupt activity conducted by the Chenkalady Divisional Secretary (DS) in 2019.Nilanthan was arrested alongside two non-journalists on charges related to the obstruction of official duties.

On September 5, 2024, the Federation of Media Employees’ Union, guided by the International Federation of Journalists, presented an investigative report that covered the entire island. Journalists, media organization leaders, and intellectuals with interest in media contributed to this extensive study.