Responding to concerns raised over recent comments by Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, the President said there had been “unnecessary uproar” and stressed that public opinion would not be curtailed under emergency law. He added that neither he nor the government is troubled by critical or unfavourable remarks, noting that existing legal provisions are sufficient to address defamatory content when necessary.
However, President Dissanayake emphasised that emergency regulations will be firmly applied against anyone who disrupts public order, instills fear among disaster-affected communities, or obstructs relief efforts—actions he described as attempts to destabilise the country during a national crisis.
“We will never use emergency regulations to suppress views or opinions. If defamatory comments are made about me, they will be addressed through normal legal processes,” he said.
