(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 April 2005 FMM press release: Journalist produced in court and his camera seized Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its concern that Mr. Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha, a Puttlam district provincial journalist with Lankadeepa newspaper, was arrested and produced in court on charges of trespassing and impersonation when he tried […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 April 2005 FMM press release:
Journalist produced in court and his camera seized
Free Media Movement (FMM) expresses its concern that Mr. Hiran Priyankara Jayasingha, a Puttlam district provincial journalist with Lankadeepa newspaper, was arrested and produced in court on charges of trespassing and impersonation when he tried to take photographs of a hotel being built by a member of parliament in the Tabbowa reservoir area. The Member of Parliament is Mr. Range Bandara of the United National Party.
Jayasingha told FMM that he rejected the charges leveled against him by the police. He said this was a public interest issue and journalists had a right to report on it.
The court granted Jayasingha bail (RS.10,000 personal and Rs.1,000 in cash), but ordered his camera to be seized and kept in police custody.
FMM is worried and expresses its disappointment about this situation, which will deprive Mr. Jayasingha of his livelihood, as well as his ability to perform his duty as a journalist.
FMM expects that an impartial and speedy inquiry will be held in this case, without any influence from politicians, and Jayasingha’s camera will be returned to him promptly, so he can continue his work as a provincial journalist.
Sunanda Deshapriya,
Spokesperson, FMM
