Responding to this weekend’s political crisis in Sri Lanka, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Global Operations, Minar Pimple, said:

“Human rights must not become a casualty of Sri Lanka’s political crisis. The authorities must ensure that key freedoms are respected and protected at this time. People should be allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”

The authorities must ensure that key freedoms are respected and protected at this time Minar Pimple, Senior Director

Amnesty International is also concerned by reports that journalists working at government-controlled media outlets were subject to threats, intimidation and harassment.

“All journalists must be allowed to carry out their work freely and without fear. The authorities have a responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being,” said Minar Pimple.

Background

On 26 October 2018, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as Prime Minister on Friday evening by President Maithripala Sirisena. Ranil Wickremasinghe, who was appointed as Prime Minister after the last elections in 2015, insists that he is still the rightful occupant of the office according to the constitution.