CIVICUS discusses restrictions on press freedom in Sri Lanka with human rights defender and journalist Sunanda Deshapriya.
Sri Lanka marks the 16th anniversary of the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga amid growing calls for press freedom and accountability. A coalition of rights groups and journalists has petitioned the authorities to strengthen media protections and called for the repeal of laws that stifle media freedom and criminalise dissent. Civil society also calls for independent investigations into past violence against journalists and the establishment of an independent media commission.