Government Attempting to Create an Authoritarian Regime – Opposition Leader
26-Dec-2025.
The current government is attempting to establish a repressive regime by misusing police powers to suppress the media, stated Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. He warned the government not to interfere with the independent media sector, which is one of the main pillars that safeguards democracy in the country.
The Opposition Leader made these remarks in a special video statement he released.
In the video, he further stated that Sri Lanka is a democratic country, and its four main pillars— the Legislature, the Executive, the Judiciary, and the independent media— must be properly protected. However, the current government is advancing an agenda to strip people of their democratic rights by deploying the police and security forces.
In particular, the government’s attempt to silence independent media outlets that reveal the truth is a grave concern.
The government must allow the “checks and balances” process carried out through independent media. Instead, journalists are being threatened using the police. Political interference within the Police Department has increased, and instead of honest and impartial officers, those who act to meet political needs are being prioritized.
The people granted this government a mandate to expand democratic rights, not to promote authoritarianism or suppress the media. Attempting to curtail the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression marks the beginning of an authoritarian regime. All democratic forces must unite against these anti-democratic actions.
The government is afraid to hold elections and has blatantly violated the rights of elected representatives in areas such as Negombo and Horana. Even representatives are not allowed to express views on budgetary matters. Through such cowardly actions, the government is burying democracy.
The Opposition Leader further emphasized that they will not hesitate to engage in all necessary struggles to protect media freedom and uphold democracy against the government’s authoritarian tendencies.
