The Free Media Movement (FMM) has sounded the alarm over what it describes as undue pressure on a photojournalist by the Presidential Media Unit, igniting a fresh debate over press freedom and political interference in Sri Lanka.
The controversy centers on Lahiru Harshana, a photojournalist for Lankadeepa, who had posted an image of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking at the recent May Day rally on his personal Facebook page. However, shortly after the post, Harshana was allegedly forced to take the photo down an act the FMM claims was triggered by behind-the-scenes pressure from individuals connected to the Presidential Media Unit via a third party.
In a statement, the Free Media Movement expressed “deep regret” over the incident, emphasizing that freedom of expression must be upheld, especially when it involves photojournalism, a profession that blends factual reporting with artistic expression.
“The aesthetic, political, and cultural interpretations of a photo are vast and subjective,” the FMM noted, defending Harshana’s right to publish the image. “Forcing its removal without encouraging public dialogue represents a serious cultural and democratic setback.”
Harshana himself left a note on his social media expressing the distress surrounding the forced deletion. While the exact reason for the demand remains under investigation, the FMM insists that there is no justification for the suppression of a photograph that falls well within the bounds of journalistic ethics and artistic freedom.
The statement also pointed out a worrying pattern of conduct by the Presidential Media Unit, which has previously come under fire for similar control tactics including its controversial handling of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent state visit.
“The Presidential Media Unit should not function as an arm of a political party,” the FMM asserted. “It bears a national responsibility to uphold the dignity of the presidency and the democratic values of the nation not act as a gatekeeper of curated narratives.”
The Free Media Movement has called on all political and media stakeholders to respect the rights of journalists like Harshana, and to ensure that the space for critical, artistic, and journalistic expression remains open, especially in an era where media suppression casts long shadows over democratic discourse.
