(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 14 December 2004 FMM press release: FMM condemns the 11 December 2004 bomb attack against a mega musical show held in Colombo. The attack resulted in the death of two persons, including a journalist. Popular Indian film stars, including superstar Shahrukh Kahn, took part in the concert, which was […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 14 December 2004 FMM press release:
FMM condemns the 11 December 2004 bomb attack against a mega musical show held in Colombo. The attack resulted in the death of two persons, including a journalist. Popular Indian film stars, including superstar Shahrukh Kahn, took part in the concert, which was sponsored by three media organisations and attended by more than 20,000 people.
Sinhala Buddhist extremist groups, including a section of the Sanga-dominated Hela Urumaya political party (Sinhala Heritage party), had launched a protest campaign against the show on the grounds that it was being held on the first anniversary of the death of popular Buddhist preacher Soma Thero, who died on 12 December 2003. The protesters became violent and directed their anger towards the individuals attending the show.
According to FMM, the bomb attack, which was aimed at disrupting the show, was clearly an anti-democratic act. Lal Jayasundara, a 20-year-old photojournalist for the Wijeya newspaper group, was standing close to the stage and taking photographs of the show when the bomb exploded, killing him and a young woman instantly. A number of other people were injured and some are in critical condition. FMM is deeply shocked at this turn of events and mourns the two deaths, particularly that of the photojournalist.
At first, a small number of protesters, including Buddhist monks, gathered in front of the venue before the show began. FMM upholds the protesters’ right to demonstrate peacefully. However, using violence to disrupt a musical show is a clear violation of others’ right to enjoy themselves. At the same time, FMM does not condone the excessive use of force by police in dispersing the protesters.
FMM is very concerned that some of the media is being blamed by some parties, including the government, and accused of having played a role in inciting the violence. Minister of Information Mangala Samaraweera has called for a special committee to look into the role the media played in the incident. FMM opposes any witchhunt against non-state media on political grounds around this regrettable incident.
At the same time, FMM calls on the journalism community and on media institutions to refrain from sensationalising issues. The right to freedom of expression comes with responsibility and it is the duty of mass media outlets to adhere to accepted norms of professional conduct, especially when covering conflicts that could lead to violence.
Furthermore, FMM calls upon all democratic forces and concerned Sri Lankan citizens to protest publicly against this anti-democratic act, which took two innocent lives.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson, FMM
