Media rights activists and opposition politicians have raised serious concerns over press freedom after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) summoned Aruna newspaper Editor-in-Chief Mahinda Illeperuma for questioning over a report on police clearance procedures.
Illeperuma was called to the CID following the publication of a news item which claimed that police require an endorsement from the local Public Security Committee when issuing police clearance certificates. The government later dismissed the report as false, with Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala stating in Parliament that no such requirement exists and that no official circular has been issued by his ministry or the Police.
However, several opposition figures, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, said the report was accurate, noting that in practice applicants are being asked to submit a recommendation from the Public Security Committee to obtain police clearance certificates.
Critics say the CID summons of a senior editor amounts to intimidation and an attempt to suppress the free press.
Former Press Complaints Commission Director and former Free Media Movement Convener Uvindu Kurukulasuriya strongly criticised the move and called on Illeperuma not to report personally to the CID. He urged the editor to insist that investigators visit his office instead, stating that journalists should not be treated like suspects for carrying out their professional responsibilities.
Kurukulasuriya said summoning editors to the CID over published news undermines the dignity of journalism and sets a dangerous precedent. He noted that the Free Media Movement has historically maintained a firm stance against such practices, regardless of which government is in power.
The controversy follows contradictory statements in Parliament regarding police clearance procedures. Opposition MP D. V. Chanaka questioned the government over inconsistent remarks by ministers, pointing out that even the Minister of Public Administration had acknowledged the requirement for certification from local Public Security Committees, while Ministers Nalinda Jayatissa and Ananda Wijepala later denied it.
Deputy Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala attempted to clarify the matter, stating that the position of the subject minister should be accepted and reiterating that endorsement from Public Security Committees is not required to obtain a police clearance certificate. He also accused the opposition of misleading the public.
Earlier, Minister Wijepala condemned the newspaper report as fake news and confirmed that he had lodged a complaint with the CID, stating that the media had published inaccurate and vague information attributed to Grama Niladhari officials. (Newswire)
