Free Media Movement files FR petition in Supreme Court

09-Aug-2026

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The Free Media Movement has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Sri Lankan Media Professionals Charter Act, which is to be presented to Parliament.

Members of the Free Media Movement, Udaya Kalupathirana and Sunil Jayasekara, filed the petition through counsel Lakshan Dias. The Attorney General, the Minister of Media and the Secretary to the Ministry have been named as respondents.

When the petition was taken up by the Supreme Court on August 7, the Court directed the parties to submit their written submissions by August 11.

The petitioners have pointed out that if the proposed legislation is enacted and the proposed structure is established, the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution could be restricted.

They have also claimed that certain definitions and interpretations contained in the Bill could affect the rights of ordinary citizens and online content creators.

The petitioners further submitted that since the interim committee would be appointed according to the preferences of the government, the proposed structure would be subject to stringent controls.

Accordingly, they have requested the Supreme Court to direct that, if the Bill is to be passed without amendments, it should be enacted with a special majority in Parliament.