Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who previously advocated for the freedom, rights and safety of the media, is now advising the media upon becoming the President, former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader emphasized that Sri Lanka’s media sector does not need advice from the current President or politicians about freedom of the press.
Sajith Premadasa further stressed that the freedom of the media, which is an important pillar of democracy, should be protected.
“Media freedom and morality should be maintained, but they should be maintained according to the self-regulation system created by the media itself. Instructions given by the president or the government to control the media affect media freedom and democracy,” he said.
Requesting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to refrain from reprimanding and giving instructions to the media, Sajith Premadasa said regulating the media is the responsibility of the said sector.
Sajith Premadasa said that despite the media having made critical comments on the Samagi Jana Balawega and him, he has never acted against the media and has no right to do so.
The SJB Leader made the remarks while addressing a political rally in central Colombo.
