TV and radio station target of arson attack causing extensive damage
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Sri Lanka Press Institute Strongly Condemns Attack on MTV/MBC The Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), a non-profit entity that is an FMM partner, unreservedly condemns the armed intrusion, acts of arson and destruction of the MTV/MBC offices in Pannipitiya early on […]
Court rules that alleged confession made by journalist was voluntary, admissible as evidence in his trial
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Sri Lanka Court Upholds Alleged Confession by Tissainayagam A Sri Lankan court has ruled that an alleged confession made by senior Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam while detained by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) was voluntary and admissible as evidence in his trial on terrorism charges. The […]
BBC World Service, “Sunday Leader” newspaper censored
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders deplores the latest cases of government censorship of international and local news media. In the past few days, the BBC World Service has been jammed by the state-owned Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) and one of the country’s most outspoken newspapers, the “Sunday Leader”, has been forbidden to refer to […]
Cartoonist threatened; editors removed from their positions after publishing army chief’s comments
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Threats and Sackings Highlight Censorship in Sri Lanka, Says IFJ Threats against a prominent political cartoonist in Sri Lanka over a cartoon published on December 7 in the weekly Lanka yet again highlight the insidious nature of efforts to impose censorship in Sri Lanka, according to […]
Media group prohibited from publishing information on defence secretary for two weeks
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an 8 December 2008 IFJ media release: Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Wins Order to Silence Media House The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is extremely concerned about restrictions on reporting of defence matters in Sri Lanka after a court prohibited all Leader Publications newspapers from publishing any information referring to […]
Media organisations express concern over opposition leader’s remarks to reporter
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a statement by FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations, known as the Five Media Collective: On the criticism of the “Daily Mirror” by Hon. Ranil Wikramasinghe, leader of the opposition The Five Media Collective expresses our disappointment over the attitude of intolerance and animosity displayed by Mr. Ranil […]
Journalist beaten by Eravur police
(FMM/IFEX) – FMM is outraged that Eravur police officers beat journalist Mohamed Hussein with batons because he was covering the suddenly imposed dawn to dusk curfew in Batticaloa on 29 November 2008. The assault and harassment of Hussein is not only a violation of freedom of expression rights but also a violation of basic human […]
Government censors BBC Sinhala and Tamil programmes airing opposition viewpoints on ongoing war
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a statement by FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations, known as the Five Media Collective: Government censors BBC Sinhala and Tamil programme The government-controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC) censored the BBC Sinhala and Tamil service programmes broadcast on 27 November 2008. Sections of the programme on Liberation […]
Public Performance Board censors film
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a press release by FMM and other media organisations: The film “Leader” censored by the authorities Five media collectives are condemning the Public Performance Board’s suspension of the film “Leader” for general distribution. The film was directed by popular actor and opposition politician Ranjan Ramanayaka. He plays the main role […]
Journalist’s family receives threats warning that he will be killed if ransom is not paid
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist Jasikaran’s family threatened It has been reported to FMM that an unidentified caller has threatened the family of Jasikaran (also spelt Jasiharan). Jasikaran is the journalist/manager who was arrested along with journalist Tissainayagam under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act. The family has received three […]
Journalist released after eight-day detention
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Journalist Released from Detention in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is relieved to report the release from detention of A.R. Vanna Loshan by Sri Lanka’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on November 22. According to the Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, the […]
FMM concerned over imprisoned journalist’s health
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 November 2008 FMM press release: FMM fears for physical safety of journalist Tissainayagam in Magazine prison J.S. Tissainayagam, a senior journalist who is on trial before the High Court,was moved from the remand prison to the Magazine prison in Colombo on November 18. No reasons have been given […]
Minister indicted on charges of assaulting journalists
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Sri Lankan Minister Indicted on Charges of Assaulting Journalists The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes an indictment issued by the High Court in Colombo, Sri Lanka, against Labour Minister Mervyn Silva and three others accused of alleged violence against journalists. However, the IFJ joins its […]
Radio station general manager arrested by security forces, remains detained
(FMM/IFEX) – Mr. A.R.Vaama Loshan, 32, General Manager of Vettri FM Radio, a Tamil radio station, was arrested by the Terrorism Investigations Division (TID) on 14 November 2008. He worked as a radio journalist for nearly 10 years before joining Vettri FM as GM in early 2008. His family members told five media organizations that […]
Government delays new broadcast regulations after criticism
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns the government pressure that led to the debate programme “Ira Anduru Pata” being cut short as it was being broadcast live on the evening of 4 November 2008 on state TV station Rupavahini. It ended a discussion of a new broadcasting law by three guests, including Free Media Movement […]
Government authorities censor live TV discussion on new broadcasting regulations
(FMM/IFEX) – FMM has expressed its shock and disbelief that government authorities shamelessly ordered the state-controlled TV station, SLRC, to stop a live TV programme related to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. On 4 November 2008, SLRC abruptly stopped a live TV discussion on the recently-imposed Private Television Broadcasting Station Regulations without giving any […]