(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM condemns the grenade attack on the house of ABC Radio Managing Director Mr. Raynor Silva on the night of 28 March 2004 as a cowardly act meant to intimidate the ABC radio network. The ABC network operates five FM stations, namely Hiru FM, Sun FM, […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release:
FMM condemns the grenade attack on the house of ABC Radio Managing Director Mr. Raynor Silva on the night of 28 March 2004 as a cowardly act meant to intimidate the ABC radio network. The ABC network operates five FM stations, namely Hiru FM, Sun FM, Suriyan FM, Sha FM and Gold FM. The attack injured a security guard and caused extensive damages to some vehicles.
Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was appointed by the President after she took over the Ministry of Mass Communication, cancelled a license given to the ABC network to operate a TV station. ABC’s management was able to obtain a stay on the Minister’s cancellation. The Minister’s action was seen as a step to restrict the activities of the ABC network. FMM suspects that this attack could be an action along the same lines.
In another incident on the same day, police raided the printing press of The Sunday Leader newspaper, without a proper court order or search warrant. FMM condemns this incident as an act of intimidation against non-state media in Sri Lanka. The Sunday Leader and its editor, Lasantha Wikramatunga, have faced many attacks in the past and have been severely criticised by the President’s political alliance for some time. This raid could be part of the ongoing harassment of The Sunday Leader.
FMM is concerned that in the context of continuous attacks on non-state media and attempts to bring them under state control by the President’s political alliance, there will be more anti-democratic moves to intimidate and control media institutions in Sri Lanka.
At the same time, FMM urges all non-state media to ensure that their election coverage is impartial and fair so that citizens can form informed opinions in the run up to the general election of 2 April 2004.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson, FMM
