War hero songs were allegedly banned on state media on May 18 and 19, Sanjeeva Edirimanna says, raising censorship concerns.
War hero songs were allegedly banned from state media institutions on May 18 and 19, former SLPP MP Sanjeeva Edirimanna has claimed.
Former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Member of Parliament Sanjeeva Edirimanna made the allegation while joining a discussion on an online channel.
He said the broadcast of songs honouring war heroes had been restricted in Sri Lanka’s state media institutions during the two days of yesterday and today, May 18 and 19.
Commenting on the National War Heroes Commemoration event, Edirimanna said the President had previously boycotted the war heroes’ commemoration.
He claimed the President attended this year’s event in order to erase the political disadvantage created by that previous decision.
Edirimanna further alleged that there is now a reluctance to even use the term “war hero” at the official commemoration ceremony.
He also claimed that a form of censorship had been imposed on the broadcasting of war hero songs.
Recalling a similar situation in 2010, Edirimanna said that during that period, the chairman of a state radio channel had ordered the suspension of songs connected to the “Swan.”
The Swan was the symbol of the then opposition common candidate.
He questioned whether such decisions are being taken directly by the government or by someone attempting to help the government in an unusual manner.
Edirimanna further pointed out that Sri Lanka has a history of removing visuals or songs featuring rival political candidates from state media during periods of political conflict and election campaigns.
He said it is regrettable if such political influence is now affecting occasions of national importance, including war hero commemorations.
The former MP emphasized that remembrance events linked to war heroes should not be politicized through media restrictions, censorship, or selective use of language.
