The Committee to Protect Journalists has slammed the Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s decision to rejection a petition on the government’s website censorship earlier this week, filed by members of the Free Media Movement.

Bob Dietz, coordinator of CPJ’s Asia Program stated,

“In handing down its decision, the Court appeared to rule that freedom of expression in Sri Lanka is not an absolute right and can be restricted--and you don't need to pass a law to do so.

The Supreme Court could have allowed the case to proceed and--after more hearings, the presentation of proof, and the testimony of witnesses and experts, with opening and closing arguments from both sides--the court would have determined whether a fundamental right has been violated or not. But with Wednesday's decision, none of that will happen. There is no other legal recourse in Sri Lanka. Case closed.”

He went on to say,

“Wednesday's decision only adds more media restrictions, tightening the space for public discourse in Sri Lanka.

The court's justices have paved the way for more of the anti-media policies streaming from the authoritarian Rajapaksa government. That stream has become a steady flow and looks to become worse.”

Speaking to the CPJ, lawyer J. C. Weliamuna also said,

“The entire case is built on the basis that in the absence of a law or regulation, the Ministry of Media and the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission can arbitrarily block the websites.”

Meanwhile the International federation of Journalists, with which the Free Media Movement is affiliated, has stated they are “disappointed” with the decision, noting,

“The power of regulating the flow of information, once granted, could easily be misused."

See our earlier post: Supreme Court rejects petition against website censor (18 May 2012)