A discussion between a group of representatives from the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Union and Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Mass Media, was held at the Ministry of Health Auditorium on the 11th. The discussion was held in response to a request made by the Media Workers’ Trade Union Federation.

The Federation of Media Workers’ Trade Unions (FMETU), in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), has begun organizing the proposed Union-to-Union program for 2025.

The Executive Committee of the Federation will hold a preliminary organizational  discussion via Zoom on March 3, 2025. The second discussion will be held on April 6, 2025, and the third discussion will also be held at the Rainbow Institute.

The 2025 program will include a survey on the professional rights of journalists covering the entire island. An online application form is to be designed for this.

“Journalists have a huge role to play as the fourth estate. Journalists in Sri Lanka face numerous challenges as they play their watchdog role to bring critical issues of public interest to the public arena.

The purpose of this survey is to consult representatives from the media and journalist community island-wide to gather information on the status of journalists and their working conditions in Sri Lanka, especially in relation to labor rights compliance.

The findings of this survey will be presented to H. E. the President and other decision-makers, continuing FMETU’s campaign to win better working conditions for Journalists in keeping with international standards and labor rights. ”

The relevant Google Form online link will be provided later.

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.