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Working Journalists Assn. welcomes decision to repeal Criminal Defamation Law

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association in a statement issued on Friday has commended the United National Front Government for its decision to repeal the Criminal Defamation Law and said that it is mostly the members of their Association who stand to gain from this decision.

The statement signed by Association President Daya Perera further said Sections 479, 480, 481, 482 and 482B of the Penal Code relating to Criminal Defamation were repressive pieces of legislation used to threaten and coerce journalists from discharging their duties properly. The repeal of this law was therefore a most welcome development.

Calling for the early adoption of the relevant legislation in this direction and the discharge of journalists already being tried under criminal defamation laws the Association has requested the government to further enhance people's right to information by implementing other proposed media reforms too after subjecting them to meaningful discussion and debate among the media and the public. 

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