Media Release
February 4, 2026
Freedom of Expression and Online Safety in Sri Lanka
The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the freedom of expression and the right to information, as guaranteed by Article 14 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka. We believe that a robust, independent media—spanning traditional print, broadcast, and digital platforms—is the “Mahagedera” (Ancestral Home) of a functioning democracy.
While we recognize the need to protect citizens from genuine online harms such as child exploitation and financial fraud, we strongly oppose any legislative framework that uses “safety” as a cloak for state-sponsored censorship.
Concerns Regarding the Online Safety Act (OSA)
Since the enactment of the Online Safety Act in 2024, the FMETU has observed with grave concern the “chilling effect” it has cast over the Sri Lankan media landscape. We highlight the following critical issues:
- Vague Definitions: Terms such as “prohibited statements” and “false statements” remain broad and ill-defined, allowing for selective enforcement against journalists, whistleblowers, and provincial correspondents.
- The Online Safety Commission: We remain critical of a Commission appointed solely by the Executive without independent oversight. Such a body lacks the perceived neutrality required to adjudicate on the “truth” of digital content.
- Criminalization of Dissent: The imposition of heavy fines and prison sentences for online speech—including content that merely causes “moral discomfort”—is disproportionate and serves to silence investigative journalism.
- Impact on Provincial Journalists: Our members in the 25 districts, who often report via mobile journalism, are now at heightened risk of being targeted for reporting on local corruption or social injustices under the guise of “inciting unrest.”
The Call to Action
The FMETU, in solidarity with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka and the relevant Ministry of Mass Media to:
- Immediate Reform: Amend the Online Safety Act to bring it into full alignment with international human rights standards, ensuring it cannot be used to suppress legitimate news reporting.
- Ensure Judicial Oversight: Strip the Online Safety Commission of its quasi-judicial powers and ensure that any restrictions on speech are handled through an independent and transparent judiciary.
- Protect Media Workers: Cease the use of the CID and other investigative bodies to harass journalists for their social media activity or digital news broadcasts.
- Promote Self-Regulation: Support a framework of media self-regulation and digital literacy rather than punitive legislation to combat misinformation.
Our Commitment to the Future
The FMETU will continue to empower its members through training in digital safety and legal literacy. We stand ready to provide legal assistance to any member of the media fraternity whose rights are infringed upon by the overreach of the OSA.
“Information is a public good, not a state-controlled commodity.”
Thanking You,
Tharindu Uduwaragedara
General Secretary
Tharindu Uduwaragedara 
General Secretary
