File photo of Sandaruwan Senadheera.
Writing to the Minister of Public Security following the arrest of the Lanka‑e‑News editor at Katunayake Airport yesterday, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association states that it wishes to draw urgent attention to a series of recent incidents that raise serious concerns regarding the safety of journalists and the protection of media freedom in Sri Lanka. These developments, including the arrest of a senior journalist and the obstruction of a reporter in the course of her professional duties, reflect troubling trends that warrant the Minister’s immediate intervention.
The letter:
11 March 2026
Mr. Ananda Wijepala
Minister of Public Security
Ministry of Public Security
14th Floor
Suhurupaya
Battaramulla
Dear Sir,
Ensuring the Safety of Journalists and Protecting Media Freedom
The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association expresses its grave concern regarding the arrest today of senior journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera, editor of the Lanka E News website, at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Mr. Senadheera had been living in exile for several years under the political protection of the Government of the United Kingdom.
It is reported that journalist Senadheera was arrested upon arrival in Sri Lanka as a suspect in connection with a legal matter filed during the previous government. The circumstances surrounding this arrest have once again raised serious concerns among journalists in Sri Lanka as to whether the climate of fear and social insecurity that prevailed during the Rajapaksa administration, under which Mr. Senadheera was compelled to leave the country due to threats to his life, continues to persist under the present administration.
Furthermore, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association strongly condemns the intimidation and obstruction carried out by police officers against journalist Sulochana Ramiah Mohan, Deputy Editor of the Ceylon Today English newspaper, while she was performing her professional duties.
Journalist Sulochana had been gathering information for an article for her newspaper by speaking with several sailors of the Iranian Navy who survived the destruction of an Iranian vessel in nearby waters following an attack by an American submarine. These sailors are currently receiving treatment as inpatients at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. During her reporting, two officers of the Sri Lanka Police who operate under your ministry interfered with her work, confiscated her notes, verbally abused her, and obstructed her professional duties. Although journalist Sulochana lodged a complaint with the Galle Police regarding this incident, the Galle Police Station has reportedly refused to provide her with the complaint reference number or any further information.
Such incidents indicate a troubling deterioration of democratic norms within society. The continued extension of emergency regulations originally imposed in response to a natural disaster, the growing shadow of a police state environment across the country, and the persistence of laws that suppress media freedom and civil liberties together reflect a disturbing trend. These developments raise concerns that the current administration may be moving toward a repressive governance model reminiscent of the Rajapaksa era.
Therefore, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association respectfully urges you to ensure the safety of journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera, who has faced threats to his life from the Rajapaksa regime, and to guarantee his protection. We also request that an impartial investigation be conducted regarding the actions of the police officers who obstructed journalist Sulochana Ramiah Mohan in the course of her duties, and that appropriate disciplinary measures be taken. Furthermore, we call upon you to take the necessary steps to safeguard the professional security and freedom of journalists in Sri Lanka.
Yours faithfully,
Duminda Sampath
President
Ranga Bandaranayake
Secretary
CC: 1. HE President: Mr. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
2. Inspector General of Police: Mr. Priyantha Weerasooriya