Government-run newspaper attacks FMM secretary; news editor removed from post at Sinhala-language weekly
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 7 April 2009 IFJ media release: Journalists’ Organisations in Sri Lanka Feel Anti-Media Heat The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) says ongoing interrogation of journalists’ leaders in Sri Lanka is a bullying tactic that only serves to highlight an intolerance of freedom of expression and the failure of democratic […]
Tamil daily “Uthayan” target of grenade attack
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is outraged by a grenade attack on the headquarters of the Tamil daily newspaper “Uthayan” in the northern city of Jaffna at about 11 p.m. (local time) on 24 March 2009. The grenade exploded in the ground floor of the building, causing considerable damage and injuring a guard. “This was […]
Four IFEX members call on UN to investigate press freedom violations; former chairman of government-owned broadcaster kidnapped
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – The following is a joint submission to the UN Human Rights Council by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), ARTICLE 19, World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the International Press Institute (IPI): “On the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism” Thank you Mr President. This statement […]
Sri Lanka special report: Failure to Investigate
Sri Lanka special report: Failure to Investigate
Attacks on the Press in 2008: Sri Lanka
Attacks on the Press in 2008: Sri Lanka
Poobalasingam Book Depot manager arrested for distributing Tamil magazine
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders calls for the release of the manager of the Poobalasingam Book Depot bookshop in Colombo, who was arrested by anti-terrorism police at his home in the Colombo suburb of Wellawatte on 5 March 2009 for sending copies of “Ananda Vikadan”, a Tamil weekly magazine published in the southern Indian state […]
CAPSULE REPORT: CPJ urges Sri Lankan ambassador to investigate media attacks
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 6 March 2009 CPJ press release: CPJ urges Sri Lankan ambassador to investigate media attacks New York, March 6, 2009 – A delegation from the Committee to Protect Journalists met yesterday with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States and called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into […]
International press freedom groups call for release of journalist J.S. Tissainayagam
(International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka /IFEX) – The following is statement by the International Press Freedom Mission to Sri Lanka, a group comprising six IFEX members and three other organisations: Amnesty International ARTICLE 19 Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) FreeVoice International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) International Media Support (IMS) International Press Institute (IPI) […]
Newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan severely beaten in prison
(HRW/IFEX) – The following is a 1 March 2009 Human Rights Watch press release: Sri Lanka: Editor Arrested and Beaten Emergency Regulations Misused Against Journalists Critical of Government (New York, March 1, 2009) – The Sri Lankan government should either free a longtime newspaper editor arrested on February 27, 2009, or charge him with a […]
Defense Ministry allegation that detained editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan was connected to an LTTE attack on Colombo points to more government repression of critical reporting, says CPJ
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 26 February 2009 CPJ press release: SRI LANKA: Tamil editor arrested in continued media crackdown New York, February 26, 2009 – The Committee to Protect Journalists questions charges leveled against Sri Lankan newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan, who was arrested this morning. According to friends who were with him at […]
Editor of Tamil daily “Sudar Oli” arrested without warrant in Colombo
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is extremely shocked by the 26 February 2009 arrest of N. Vithyatharan, the editor of “Sudar Oli”, a Colombo-based Tamil daily that is part of the Uthayan press group. He was forcibly arrested while attending the funeral in Colombo of a relative of the group’s chairman. The media minister told […]
Retransmission of Makkal TV obstructed by military; website editor Sandaruwan Senadheera questioned for several hours over article
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders urges the Sri Lankan authorities to stop obstructing local retransmission of Makkal TV, a station based in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Jaffna residents told Reporters Without Borders that the local retransmission of this popular TV station has been banned since 18 February 2009. Army officers in the […]
Journalist Upali Tennakoon victim of murder attempt, several others forced to flee country; news website closes for fear of reprisal
(RSF/IFEX) – The editor of the privately-owned weekly “Rivira”, Upali Tennakoon, and his wife were attacked and wounded by four men on motorcycles as they drove to work on the morning of 23 January 2009 near Colombo. At the same time it was learned that at least five journalists have fled the country or gone […]
World Report 2009: Sri Lanka
World Report 2009: Sri Lanka
International mission condemns “culture of impunity and indifference”
(IFJ/IPI/RSF/IFEX) – The following is a joint action by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters sans frontières (RSF) and two other organisations: International Press Freedom Mission Global Media Rights Groups Condemn “Culture of Impunity and Indifference” in Sri Lanka The International Press Freedom Mission today condemned a “culture of impunity […]
Outspoken newspaper editor shot dead in Colombo
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is outraged by the murder of “Sunday Leader” editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, who was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle as he drove to work on the morning of 8 January 2009 in Colombo. “Sri Lanka has lost one of its more talented, courageous and iconoclastic journalists,” Reporters Without […]