Professor Savithri Gunasekara warned of “major institutional deterioration” in Sri Lanka’s justice system and urged reforms to the Attorney General’s Department, calling for changes to its current processes to ensure accountability.
Gunasekara emphasised that freedom of speech and the media require institutions that properly enforce the law, as well as governments with a genuine commitment. Questioning whether Sri Lanka has such institutions, she said that “a step beyond the government’s commitment is now needed,” adding that contradictions will persist unless the role of the Attorney General’s office is redefined.
She made the remarks at a seminar organised by the Free Media Movement under the theme “January is Still Black”, held to protest delays in justice for crimes against the media.
The event, titled “For Justice in Speech”, took place at the Sri Lanka Press Institute Auditorium in Narahenpita, with speeches also delivered by President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma and former UNESCO communications director Wijayananda Jayaweera.
Gunasekara alleged that the Attorney General’s Department further deteriorated during the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration. She cited the appointment of a person convicted of torture as head of criminal investigations, following a Supreme Court ruling, and said this was a clear contradiction in the administration of justice.
She also noted that civil society had discussed the Online Protection Act as a “shut up law,” warning that the issue has become more acute with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Kumarapperuma stressed that the Attorney General should be dealt with under the Removal of Officers Act No. 5 of 2002, adding that the government’s role in investigating crimes and administering justice is limited to providing facilities, without political interference. He accused the Rajapaksa administration of destroying evidence in criminal investigations into crimes against the media through state intervention, saying this had long‑term effects even on later inquiries.
Senior journalist Amal Jayasinghe moderated the discussion.
