The Media Law Forum convened a high-level networking event on April 30, 2025, at the Mandarina Hotel in Colombo, gathering leading legal experts to examine recent developments in Sri Lankan media legislation.
Professor Sanath Wijesinghe delivered the keynote address, offering an in-depth analysis of the Online Safety Act and the Personal Data Protection Act, weighing their impact on press freedom, regulatory mechanisms, and journalist protection. International insight was provided by Mr. Toby Mendel, Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, who outlined global trends in media law and shared comparative guidance for maintaining freedom of expression in the digital age.
The event also marked the official launch of the Personal Data Protection Booklet, aimed at improving public and media literacy on data protection principles. A key feature of the program was a panel discussion titled “Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Media Laws: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka”, featuring prominent experts including President’s Counsel Jagath Wickramanayake, Professor Sanath Wijesinghe, Mr. Toby Mendel, (Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Democracy), and Ms. Niroshika Liyana Muhandiram (Senior Lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka & Attorney-at-Law). The discussion addressed regulatory coherence and the balance between national security and individual rights.
The evening concluded with a high tea networking session, where attendees exchanged views on legal reforms, collaboration, and the vital role of legal professionals in safeguarding digital freedoms. The event reinforced the Media Law Forum’s position as a driving force in shaping the legal discourse around media freedom in Sri Lanka.
