Activists, Artists and Journalists Under Pressure as Sri Lanka Pushes Restrictive NGO Legislation

Sri Lanka is facing mounting concerns over civil liberties, with a rapper, a writer and multiple journalists among those reportedly targeted by authorities, even as the government moves forward with proposals for a restrictive new law governing non-governmental organisations.

Artists and Media Workers in the Crosshairs

Civil society watchdogs have raised alarm over a growing pattern of harassment directed at creative figures and media professionals in Sri Lanka. A rapper and a writer are among those said to have faced pressure from authorities, joining a list of journalists who continue to operate under threat. The targeting of such individuals has drawn sharp criticism from freedom of expression advocates both domestically and internationally.

Journalists in particular remain vulnerable, with reports indicating that those who pursue sensitive stories — including investigations into state conduct and accountability — face intimidation and legal pressure designed to silence critical voices.

Proposed NGO Law Raises Red Flags

Adding to these concerns is a legislative proposal that would impose tighter restrictions on non-governmental organisations operating within the country. Critics argue the proposed law could severely curtail the ability of civil society groups to function independently, potentially cutting off vital advocacy work on human rights, environmental issues and democratic governance.

Observers warn that if enacted in its current form, the legislation could be used as a tool to suppress organisations that hold the government accountable, effectively shrinking the already limited space for civic engagement in Sri Lanka.

Impunity for Past Abuses Remains Unaddressed

Compounding the current situation is the continued failure to deliver accountability for crimes committed in earlier periods, particularly those linked to the final stages of the country's decades-long civil conflict. Human rights groups have long demanded credible investigations and prosecutions, but progress on transitional justice remains minimal.

The combination of ongoing impunity, fresh targeting of civil voices and proposed legal restrictions paints a troubling picture for the state of civic freedoms in Sri Lanka. Advocacy groups are calling on the government to reverse course, protect freedom of expression and honour its international human rights obligations.

Sri Lanka is a signatory to several international human rights instruments, and campaigners argue that the proposed NGO law and the treatment of artists and journalists stand in direct contradiction to those commitments.