(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Re: Threats directed against “Dinakara” newspaper According to reports, the weekly “Dinakara” and its journalists began receiving threatening telephone calls after the newspaper published a feature story, titled “Devil’s Rule in Haguranketha”, on 24 November. The news story referred to a powerful government minister who represents […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
Re: Threats directed against “Dinakara” newspaper
According to reports, the weekly “Dinakara” and its journalists began receiving threatening telephone calls after the newspaper published a feature story, titled “Devil’s Rule in Haguranketha”, on 24 November. The news story referred to a powerful government minister who represents the Nuwara Eliya District. Sandhya M. Weeratunga, who wrote the story, and Rukmal Gamage, who took the photographs for the story, are the two journalists receiving threatening phone calls.
In addition to the reported continuation of these calls, on the night of 26 November, an unidentified gang stopped a vehicle belonging to “Dinakara”, assaulted the driver, and inquired about journalists working at “Dinakara”. The newspaper’s management stated that it has identified the telephone numbers from which the threatening calls originated.
On 26 November, in a discussion with the Minister of the Interior and the Inspector General of Police, the Free Media Movement (FMM) requested that due inquiries be expedited whenever threats to, and assaults on, journalists take place. FMM called on the government to ensure that an immediate inquiry is held so that the “Dinakara” newspaper and its journalists will be able to carry out their work without any threat or hindrance.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Convener
Victor Ivan
Secretary
