Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has released a 41-minute recording of his September 3 meeting with United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche.
The release follows controversy over separate remarks attributed to Franche in a leaked video from a closed-door civil society meeting.
Premadasa said some media reports had created misleading impressions about his meeting with Franche.
He therefore released what he described as the full, unedited recording and a Sinhala translation of the discussion.
The move has put the complete conversation into the public domain, allowing viewers to compare it with reports and comments that emerged from the controversy.
What Started the Controversy?
The issue began after a video from a closed-door civil society meeting circulated publicly.
In that video, Franche referred to a recent conversation with the Opposition Leader.
He questioned why the opposition was not focusing on certain issues, including from the position of opposing the government.
Franche also spoke about the need for stronger links between civil society and political institutions.
He said civil society concerns need a way to reach the political system if the country is to achieve meaningful change.
His comments also touched on Sri Lanka’s policy and law-making process.
He referred to the Online Safety Act as an example.
According to the remarks in the circulated video, Franche said he had spoken with about 45 Members of Parliament when the legislation was enacted.
He said some lawmakers who voted for the legislation had not read the law or understood the amendments that had been submitted.
Franche used this as an example of problems in the policy-making process.
However, he also expressed optimism about Sri Lanka’s ability to make changes, pointing to the knowledge, strength and networks within civil society.
Why Did Premadasa Release the Full Video?
Premadasa said reports about his meeting with Franche had created misleading impressions about the discussion.
He said he released the full conversation in the interests of transparency, accountability and truthfulness.
The recording is dated September 3, 2026 and runs for about 41 minutes.
Premadasa has asked the public to watch the conversation and assess the reports about the meeting for themselves.
This is important because the leaked video and the full meeting recording are not the same piece of footage.
The leaked video contains remarks Franche made during a separate civil society meeting.
The newly released recording shows the conversation between Franche and Premadasa.
Therefore, comments made in one setting should not automatically be treated as statements made during the other meeting.
What Was Discussed in the September 3 Meeting?
Reports about the September 3 meeting said the discussion covered several areas.
These included democratic governance, economic recovery, climate preparedness and institutional accountability.
The release of the full recording now provides the wider context of that discussion.
Franche is the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka. The UN says the Resident Coordinator leads the UN Country Team and represents the UN Secretary-General on development operations in the country.
Franche has served in the role since 2023 and has previously worked on governance, climate change, peacebuilding and development issues in several countries.
The discussion has therefore attracted attention because it involves a senior UN official and the country’s Opposition Leader.
What Can the Public Now Assess?
The release does not by itself settle every interpretation surrounding the controversy.
Instead, it provides the complete recording of the September 3 conversation for public review.
Readers can compare the full discussion with reports about the meeting and with the separate video containing Franche’s remarks at the civil society gathering.
The central issue is therefore one of context.
A selected clip can show a particular statement, while a full conversation can provide the surrounding discussion and responses.
Premadasa has released the recording and urged the public to draw its own conclusions.
The 41-minute video now provides the public with the full meeting rather than only selected accounts of what was discussed.
Last modified: September 20, 2026
