Deshappriya made clear his intention to return to Sri Lanka in an interview with the BBC's Sinhala Service Sandeshaya from Geneva where he is currently domiciled.

He said it should also be the responsibility of the new government to investigate attacks and harassment of journalists over the past five years.

Deshappriya said that so far the only thing that has changed as far as the State Media is concerned is the replacement of Mahinda Rajapaksa with Maithripala Sirisena and that more should be done.