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President says emergency laws will not be used to curb free expression
Colombo, Dec. 5 (Daily Mirror) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Parliament today that emergency regulations will not be invoked to suppress freedom of expression or criticism of the government.
Addressing concerns triggered by recent remarks from Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, the President said the reaction to the statement had caused unnecessary uproar. He said that public opinion would not be restricted under emergency law and added that neither he nor the government is troubled by criticism. Existing laws, he noted, are sufficient to address defamatory content if needed.
The President, however, made it clear that emergency regulations will be strictly enforced against those who disturb public order, create fear among communities affected by the disaster, or hinder relief efforts—actions he described as attempts to destabilize the country during a national emergency.
“We will never use emergency regulations to suppress views or opinions. If defamatory statements are made about me personally, they will be dealt with under normal legal procedures,” he said.
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