President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today assured Parliament that emergency regulations will not be used to suppress freedom of expression or criticism directed at the government.
Addressing concerns sparked by remarks made recently by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, the President said there was “unnecessary uproar” over the statement and insisted that public opinion will not be curtailed under emergency law.
He stated that neither he nor the administration is bothered by critical or unfavourable comments made against them, adding that existing laws are adequate to deal with defamatory content if required.
However, President Dissanayake warned that emergency regulations will be strictly enforced against anyone who disrupts public harmony, spreads fear among disaster-affected communities, or interferes with relief operations. He said such acts would be considered attempts to destabilize society during a national crisis.
“We will never use emergency regulations to suppress views or opinions. If there are defamatory remarks targeting me personally, they will be dealt with under normal laws, as I have said before,” he said.
The comments came after Deputy Minister Watagala directed police officers to use emergency provisions against individuals, including those abroad, who allegedly spread false or malicious content on social media targeting the President and government ministers. (Newswire)