• We urge the government to allow journalists, who are considered the fourth estate of Democracy, to carry out their duties freely

By Yohan Perera   

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday called for meting out justice to journalist Tarindu Jayawardena who has been threatened by a police officer.   

“Over the years, we have seen journalists as well as social media users being subjected to criticism and indirect threats from the state and top police officials.  

Therefore, we would like to remind you that the UNP has stood for the protection of the right of freedom of expression for journalists and social media users throughout history and will continue to do so in the future,” Mr. Wijewardene said in a special statement.   Journalist Tharindu Eranga Jayawardena is the newest member of the group who has witnessed their right to free speech threatened. The response of the Senior DIG in charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon to a news item this journalist shared on Facebook on the 1st of this month is not appropriate for a police officer” he added.   ‘Jayawardena is a fearless commentator as a young journalist. He is widely regarded as a journalist who disseminates truthful information to the public. A news item posted on the news website www.medialk.com, of which he is the editor-in-chief, has been shared on Facebook. It is clear from the statements made by the Senior DIG regarding the news that this journalist’s right to freedom of expression has been indirectly affected. Therefore, we urge the government to allow journalists, who are considered the fourth estate of Democracy, to carry out their duties freely. If Tharindu Eranga Jayawardena has published a false news item on his website or insulted anyone, this matter can be clarified and legal action sought. However, no party has the right to threaten, intentionally or unintentionally, any individual in exercising this freedom, he further said.  By doing so, a high-ranking officer in the police department is more likely to influence lower-ranking officers as well, presuming that this young journalist is guilty. Therefore, this is an issue that the President and the government should immediately intervene and rectify. We will oppose any attempt to obstruct the free movement of a journalist without doing so.. We call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister of Public Defense Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara to conduct a formal, impartial inquiry into this matter. We also request Minister  Keheliya Rambukwella as the Minister of Mass Media to ensure the safety of all journalist. IGP Chandana Wickramaratne is also strongly encouraged to ensure the complaint filed by Tharindu Jayawardena for his safety is upheld’” he also said.