(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a press release from five Sri Lankan media organisations, including FMM: Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU) Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance (SLTJA) Free Media Movement (FMM) Journalist Rashmi Mohamed killed in Anuradhapura Bomb Blast Five media […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a press release from five Sri Lankan media organisations, including FMM:
Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA)
Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU)
Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF)
Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance (SLTJA)
Free Media Movement (FMM)
Journalist Rashmi Mohamed killed in Anuradhapura Bomb Blast
Five media organisations (SLWJA, FMETU, SLTMA, SLMMF, FMM) express their deep sorrow over the death of TV journalist Rashmi Mohamed at around 8:40 a.m. this morning in Anuradhapura. Rashmi, a provincial correspondent of Sirasa TV, was covering the opening ceremony of the new office of the United National Party (UNP) in Anuradhapura, close to the old bus stand.
The explosion at the ceremony killed more than 20 people including the Leader of the Opposition of the North Central Provincial Council, Major General Janaka Perera, and other leading UNP figures in the area. Nearly 80 people were injured.
Our organisations have time and again expressed our complete rejection of the use of violence as a way of resolving social and political issues. We condemn this heinous attack on unarmed civilians as a crime against humanity.
While expressing our deepest sympathies with the families and friends of the deceased, we urge the government to initiate an impartial and speedy inquiry into the circumstances of this dastardly act. We would also reiterate the need for more awareness and safety training for journalists working in challenging security environments.
