The seminar titled “Freedom of Expression and Emerging Challenges”, jointly organized by the Media Law Forum and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), was held last week (24), being officially opened by President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, President’s Counsel Rajeev Amarasuriya.
In his opening remarks, Rajeev Amarasuriya PC emphasized the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression in a democratic society and highlighted the need for continued legal engagement and reform in this area. His remarks formally commenced the event and welcomed participants into a critical and timely conversation.
The session was moderated by Ms. Swasthika Arulingam, Attorney-at-Law, who currently serves as the Convenor of the Human Rights Committee of the BASL.
The seminar was conducted under the guidance of the Standing Committee on Human Rights of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, further reflecting the association’s commitment to advancing human rights and legal awareness.
Mr. Lakshan Dias, Attorney-at-Law, a member of the BASL Human Rights Committee, was also present, contributing to the engagement and representation of the committee at the event.
Dr. Viranjana Herath, Attorney-at-Law, led the first session, offering a critical assessment of freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. He examined the domestic context in light of regional and international standards, including ICCPR Article 19 and the European Convention on Human Rights. His presentation also discussed the legal status of broadcast frequencies, key jurisprudence, and the balance between national security and speech rights.
The second session was conducted by President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake, who provided a detailed analysis of the statutory framework and restrictions on expression. His session addressed the ICCPR Act, the Online Safety Act, and broader concerns about legal boundaries in digital and public spaces.
In the final session, Mr. Senany Dayaratne, Attorney-at-Law, explored practical challenges, solutions, and the way forward in protecting expression rights. He emphasized the balance between freedom of expression and competing interests such as privacy, reputation, and national security. His presentation also addressed the influence of emerging technologies and the importance of strategic legal advice.
The seminar brought together legal professionals, journalists, and civil society actors for a rich and collaborative dialogue. (Newswire)
The post Freedom of expression and emerging challenges discussed appeared first on Newswire.
