FMETU submitted two ordinary motions at the IFJ Centenary congress in Paris ,and those motions are follows: 

Motion 1.End the impunity for crimes against journalists and and uphold rules of law.

Despite changes in government, Sri Lanka continues to face a lack of accountability for historic crimes against journalists (e.g., murders and enforced disappearances), which fuels a climate of impunity. Furthermore, new laws are introduced that threaten to criminalize speech and online expression, contradicting constitutional and international commitments to press freedom.

Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to immediately reopen and commit to prompt, impartial, and transparent investigations into all past cases of violence against journalists, including murders and abductions (such as those of Lasantha Wickrematunge and Prageeth Eknaligoda).

Calls for the establishment of robust, independent mechanisms to protect witnesses and investigators involved in these sensitive cases.

Urges the repeal or substantial amendment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and proposed new counterterrorism laws, which have historically been and continue to be used to harass, detain, and intimidate journalists, especially those from ethnic minority communities.

Reminds the government of its obligation to uphold Article 14 of the Sri Lankan Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) regarding the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression.

Motion 2. Promoting Professional Standards , Decent work and Gender Equity

 RECOGNISING that the severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka has intensified the vulnerability of journalists, leading to precarious employment, extremely low wages, and a chronic lack of social security (EPF/ETF), thereby compromising their ethical independence and driving widespread self-censorship.

Urge media organizations to implement gender-sensitive recruitment and promotion policies with clear targets to increase the representation of women in editorial, decision-making, and leadership positions, actively dismantling the perception of certain roles as ‘men’s jobs’.