The Sri Lankan government has introduced new regulations restricting the use of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s photograph for official purposes. The Prime Minister’s Office issued instructions that government agencies must obtain prior approval if they wish to use her image for events, official messages, souvenirs, or any materials produced by government institutions.
The directive was communicated in writing to all ministry secretaries and heads of government organizations. The move aims to regulate the use of the Prime Minister’s image, ensuring that it is used appropriately and possibly to prevent the over-politicization or unauthorized usage of her likeness. The restrictions represent a shift from previous practices where images of political leaders were frequently utilized without stringent guidelines.
This measure aligns with the broader principles of governance, reminiscent of practices in some countries where the use of leaders’ images is controlled to maintain a professional standard in public service communications.
