(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 6 January 2004 FMM press release: Jaffna journalist Veluppillai Thavachelvam faces repeated threats FMM vehemently condemns the ongoing hostility by the Sri Lankan army in Jaffna towards Jaffna-based, Tamil-language journalist Veluppillai Thavachelvam. Thavachelvam is a leading local correspondent for Sri Lankan and international Tamil media and the president of […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 6 January 2004 FMM press release:
Jaffna journalist Veluppillai Thavachelvam faces repeated threats
FMM vehemently condemns the ongoing hostility by the Sri Lankan army in Jaffna towards Jaffna-based, Tamil-language journalist Veluppillai Thavachelvam. Thavachelvam is a leading local correspondent for Sri Lankan and international Tamil media and the president of the Jaffna Journalists’ Association.
According to reports reaching Colombo, on 5 January 2004, Thavachelvam was singled out and threatened by an unidentified Sri Lankan army solider at the Palali Air Force camp in Jaffna while a group of journalists were covering a visit of the chief incumbents of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters of the Buddhist Religion in Sri Lanka.
On 18 November 2003, the Sri Lankan army stopped Thavachelvam and questioned him in a threatening manner at Jaffna’s Muhamalai entry point.
On 1 July 2002, Thavachelvam complained to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and the International Committee of the Red Cross that he was abducted and beaten by armed individuals who accused him of working for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
On 6 April 1999, the Sri Lankan army interrogated and threatened Thavachelvam for several hours after surrounding his house at about 8:00 a.m. (local time).
FMM urges the authorities to investigate the continuing hostility towards Thavachelvam and to adopt measures to create an environment in which Jaffna journalists can carry out their profession free from harassment.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson
Free Media Movement
