Recent questioning of Sonali Samarasinghe, Editor of the Morning Leader, reiterates the need to have whistleblower protection in Sri Lanka. She is an award winning investigative journalist with courage. Many civil society organizations, intellectuals and independent media personnel have consistently urged the successive governments to take measures to protect the journalists, particularly journalists with dissenting views and the sources of information. We are also mindful that Sri Lanka has no right to information law and therefore media has to often rely on confidential sources, under difficult circumstances.
The questioning of media personnel by law enforcement authorities to ascertain sources of information signals a discouraging message, particularly to those who expose corruption involving powerful individuals. It is time that the policy makers introduce new legislation to ensure protection of whistleblowers. Such policy direction is vital for the country in the light of Sri Lanka’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
TISL is aware of the fact that the Cabinet approved a Freedom of Information Law for Sri Lanka in 2003 but its enactment has, since then, appears to have been held up for reasons of political expediency rather than on any substantive ground. This draft law should be speedily enacted. TISL also believes that all information available to Members of Parliament are available to the media and the general public, creating a governance structure with integrity.