The Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses deep concerns about moves to arrest investigative journalist Tharindu Jayawardena and warns that any attempt to arrest him will be met with strong resistance and appropriate action.
The FMM’s concerns stem from a letter sent by Jayawardena to Acting Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, notifying him of moves to have him arrested in the near future.
The letter has been sent in the backdrop of the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Homicide and Organized Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Induka Silva, petitioning the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that Jayawardena’s actions were obstructing ongoing investigations and requesting an appropriate order be given against him.
Tharindu Jayawardena is an investigative journalist who has extensively reported on various incidents, including the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and related investigations, which have drawn the attention of Members of Parliament.
The FMM has raised concerns about the actions of Inspector Induka Silva, who was previously removed from the CID due to his conduct in court but was later reinstated by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration in 2019. Inspector Silva is identified in Jayawardena’s report as an officer involved in a conspiracy against the then CID Director, Shani Abeysekara.
The FMM finds it troubling that the police are targeting a journalist who is working to uncover and expose hidden and potentially dangerous truths surrounding the Easter Sunday attacks, while justice for the victims continues to be delayed and appears to have been reduced to a mere political promise.
Reiterating that delivering justice for the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks is the most significant challenge currently facing the police, FMM calls on the CID and the police to ensure the investigations are not derailed and to refrain from short-sighted vengeful actions against the journalist for simply doing his job well. The FMM also warns that if Tharindu Jayawardena is arrested, they will take all necessary steps to defend his rights and safety.