Police officials harass independent news website recently labeled by government as “treacherous”; its editor continually threatened
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 June 2008 FMM press release: Police question web media organization 23 June 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is deeply disturbed to learn that officers of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) visited the offices of http://www.lankaenews.com on 17 June 2008 and questioned its editor, Sandaruwan Senadeera, and its […]
Twenty-nine IFEX members alert UN secretary-general to statements by government and military that “put journalists in grave danger”
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a joint action by 29 IFEX members and other organisations: The Honorable Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General United Nations Secretariat Building, Room S-3800 New York, NY 10017 Dear Sir, Under terms of UNSCR 1738 on the protection of journalists in conflict, we write to draw your attention to the alarming situation in […]
Media self-censorship promoted by defence ministry’s proposed guidelines for reporting on military matters
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Defence Ministry sets out Guidelines for Media (Self)-Censorship In a recent editorial posted on the Defence Ministry website, the Ministry has set forth its views and suggested guidelines with regard to reporting of military-related matters. While it is not clear whether this offensive editorial is a […]
Leading investigative journalist receives death threat
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 14 June 2008 FMM press release: Another senior journalist receives a death threat in Sri Lanka 14 June 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is deeply alarmed that another well-known journalist received a death threat this morning from an unknown caller. Former deputy editor of […]
State broadcasting official publicly issues dire warnings against two journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 12 June 2008 joint media release by FMM and four other organisations: Head of State Media calls for journalist’s death 12th June 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – Hudson Samarasinghe, recently appointed the chairperson of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC), called for the death of senior journalist Poddala […]
Officials harass local press during EU delegation visit
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders condemns the pressure that the government reportedly put on the owners and editors of several independent dailies, including “The Nation” and “The Daily Mirror”, to dissuade them from publishing critical or embarrassing articles during a visit by a European Commission trade delegation from 9 to 11 June 2008. “The government […]
Journalist’s detention extended for 90 days, still held without charge
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Detention of Sri Lankan Journalist Extended, Still No Charge The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is extremely disturbed by a new 90-day extension of a detention order against journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who has been held without charge in Sri Lanka since his arrest on March 8, […]
FMM condemns suppression of political protest by ruling party politicians, fears new round of human rights violations
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 10 June 2008 FMM press release: Politically motivated attack on peaceful protests FMM condemns the politically-motivated attack on two protests organized by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) political party on 8 and 9 June 2008. The protest was organized under the theme of “hands off democracy; defend people’s freedom […]
Freelance journalist threatened with murder by ruling party politician in Matale district
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 June 2008 FMM press release: Provincial journalist threatened It has been reported to the FMM that journalist Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa of Dambulla, Matale district was threatened with death by a ruling party politician in the area. Kanchana Kumara works for a number of newspapers and radio stations as […]
Fourth Muslim journalist assaulted by ruling party supporters in Kathankudi, journalists threaten strike over police indifference to anti-media attacks
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 8 June 2008 FMM press release: Post election violence in Eastern province; Fourth journalist attacked in Batticoloa The FMM notes with disappointment that in continuing post-election violence in the eastern province, a fourth journalist in Kathankudi, Batticoloa district has been intimidated. It condemns all these attacks in the strongest […]
FMM, independent media targets of slander campaign, incitement to violence by Defence Ministry
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence viciously attacks independent media 5 June 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is outraged at the recent statement by the Ministry of Defence that incites violence by claiming that the FMM and other independent media support terrorism […]
Sri Lanka Press Institute visited by armed military inquiring about directors, staff
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 30 May 2008 FMM press release: The Free Media Movement expresses its grave concern that military personnel have made an “unofficial” visit to the Sri Lanka Press Institute, in which FMM is a constituent partner. Below is the full statement: The Sri Lanka Press Institute expresses its concern and […]
Group storms journalist’s house, warns him against reporting on defence and military matters
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 31 May 2008 FMM press release: Another journalist warned not to report matters related to defence The FMM has learned that Sirimevan Kasthuriarachchi, a senior defence reporter for “Sinhala Divaina” newspaper of the Upali Newspapers Group, was sternly warned against reporting on matters related to defence and the Sri […]
Two senior journalists reprimanded, threatened over campaign protesting abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 28 May 2008 open letter to Secretary of Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksha from FMM and four other Sri Lankan media organisations: Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksha Secretary of Defence Ministry of Defence Colombo, Sri Lanka 28 May 2008 Dear Sir, Reprimand of senior journalists unacceptable We are extremely disappointed and very concerned […]
Television journalist hacked to death in Jaffna
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist hacked to death in Jaffna 28th May 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM reports with deep sadness that yet another journalist has been murdered in Jaffna, in the embattled Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The FMM vehemently condemns this dastardly act and extends its […]
Political thugs attack television crew, damage vehicle and camera, severely beat driver
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 May 2008 FMM press release: Sirasa TV crew attacked and their equipment destroyed 24th May 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) was shocked and dismayed to see visuals of a SIRASA TV media vehicle and television camera smashed by thugs with party political affiliations […]