The following is an ARTICLE 19 letter to the Sri Lankan media minister, expressing concern about published accusations of “conspiracy” against independent media editors: The Hon Mangala Saramweera, MP Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & the Media Level 18, West Tower Trade Centre Echelon Square Colombo 1 Sri Lanka By fax: 00 94 1 440488 19 […]
The following is an ARTICLE 19 letter to the Sri Lankan media minister, expressing concern about published accusations of “conspiracy” against independent media editors:
The Hon Mangala Saramweera, MP
Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & the Media
Level 18, West Tower
Trade Centre
Echelon Square
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
By fax: 00 94 1 440488
19 January 2000
Dear Minister,
I am writing to express ARTICLE 19’s grave concern about recent attacks by the President and other public officials on the independent media, and the implications these may have on the climate for free expression within the country.
Following the bomb attacks against President Chandrika Kumaratunga and opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe during the presidential election campaign, we expressed our shock and sadness in a letter to the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in London. We also expressed the hope that such attacks would not lead the government to increase further its controls on expression and the free flow of information. We urged the government to re-commit itself to reform and to make the legal, institutional and other changes that are required to ensure freedom of expression in Sri Lanka, and to enable the full enjoyment of other human rights. Recent reports suggest that, regrettably, this is not the path the government has chosen.
ARTICLE 19 has become aware of allegations in the state-owned media that two editors of independent newspapers and various other individuals were involved in a plot to overthrow the President, in league with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. The involvement of Victor Ivan, editor of Ravaya and Lasantha Wickrematunge, editor of the Sunday Leader, was said to have been identified in police inquiries. However, we understand that despite the seriousness of such allegations, neither individual had even been questioned by police at the time these allegations were made and that this remains the situation to date.
ARTICLE 19 certainly supports proper police investigations into the existence of any such conspiracy, and, where there is evidence of the commission of recognisable criminal offences, the bringing of suspects to trial. We are, however, concerned that in this case “conspiracy” is being publicly invoked as a justification for harassment and intimidation of individuals who have opposed and criticised government policy.
In a democratic society where free expression is respected, individuals have the fundamental right to hold and express opinions without interference, subject to restrictions only on specific and limited grounds, as stated in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Sri Lanka has ratified.
The allegations made against the two editors and other individuals – and, indeed, general claims that the independent press is hostile towards government – appear highly threatening, particularly in the context of a country which has, in its recent past, experienced “vigilante” and “death squad” reprisals in large numbers, the heightened violence of the last few months, the ongoing civil war and the recent assassination in Sri Lanka by unidentified assailants of three journalists: Vasthian Anthony Mariyadas, Atputharajah Nadarajah and Rohana Kumara.
We urge the government of Sri Lanka to act promptly to create conditions within which freedom of expression can be enjoyed. This is especially urgent in view of the coming parliamentary elections. ARTICLE 19 recognises the very difficult security environment, but wishes to reiterate that censorship and repression not only contravene international human rights standards, but actually undermine peace and security by promoting division and hostility.
ARTICLE 19 is extremely concerned that reporting of the war and its consequences continues to be subject to official censorship; that the government still retains political control over the state-owned press and broadcast media; that criminal defamation actions continue to be used by the government to stifle criticism; and that now the state-owned press is apparently being used to make unsubstantiated allegations against government critics.
These and other issues of reform remain to be addressed; we very much hope that you will ensure that action on these matters is now pursued vigorously.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Puddephatt, Executive Director
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
The Hon Mangala Saramweera, MP
Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & the Media
Level 18, West Tower
Trade Centre
Echelon Square
Colombo 1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 440 488
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