A photograph of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake taken during the government’s May Day rally in Colombo has swiftly been removed from official platforms at the request of authorities.
The image, captured by Lahiru Harshana, a staff photographer for a Colombo-based daily newspaper, depicts Dissanayake mid-speech with both hands raised and his gaze directed skyward, with a sickle and hammer symbol in the backdrop.
It is unclear why authorities wanted to photograph removed. No reason for the removal was officially cited.
In a social media post, Harshana commented on the reaction to the image, emphasising that photographic interpretation is inherently subjective. He posted in Sinhala:
“ඡායාරූපයක අර්ථනිරූපනය කිසිවෙකුගේ නමයක් මතට අනුව වෙනස් වේ...”
(“The interpretation of a photograph varies according to one’s own opinion”).
Shortly after his post, Harshana reported that he was asked to take down the photograph from his social media and to remove it from other official distribution channels as well.
Nevertheless, the photograph had already begun circulating widely online. While some commentators praised the composition and perceived symbolism of the image, others questioned whether the moment carried unintended political or ideological implications—especially given Dissanayake’s position as leader of the leftist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), a party historically Marxist in ideology.
Observers noted the timing of the controversy, which unfolded against the backdrop of Dissanayake’s campaign-style rallies and his attempt to project leadership beyond the traditional base of the JVP. His public appearances, particularly in Tamil-majority regions such as Mullaitivu and Vavuniya, have already drawn criticism for their heavily militarised security.
The controversy has also fuelled concerns over censorship and the suppression of expression on the island, particularly under the current National People’s Power (NPP) administration, which had once campaigned on a platform of transparency, democratic reform, and press freedom.