Media denies women voice, fails to inform public on women’s issues, survey shows
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: International Women’s Day Women Get Short Shrift in Sri Lanka’s Media Sri Lanka’s media does not pay sufficient attention to issues of special concern to women, according to civil society representatives surveyed as part of a media and human rights project conducted by the Centre for […]
Librarian of state-owned television station SLRC wounded in razor attack
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Librarian of SLRC cut with a razor knife FMM is horrified and shocked that another staff member of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) – Mrs. Ranjani Aluthge, a librarian – has been wounded in a razor knife attack. On the evening of 5 March […]
Two more journalists targeted over coverage, criticism of December 2007 assault on state broadcaster
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Continuing attacks against journalists who stood up to the thuggery of Government MP 29 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In yet another serious blow to media freedom, the Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled to learn that a four-member gang allegedly attempted to harm a journalist […]
Authorities confiscate computer belonging to NGO head to check for “controversial” correspondence
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 25 February 2008 FMM press release: Confiscation of PC belonging to NGO head raises questions on the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka 25 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is both surprised and disturbed to learn that the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has taken […]
Police assault TV journalist covering bomb blast in Colombo, refuse to register complaint
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 February 2008 FMM press release: Sri Lankan police assault TV journalist covering bomb blast in Colombo 24 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is appalled to learn of the treatment meted out by a Senior Inspector of the Sri Lankan Police to a journalist […]
Police say murdered journalist was paid military informant; FMM demands open investigation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 February 2008 FMM press release: Sri Lankan Police conjure up an incredible revelation in the murder investigations of a journalist 19 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The Free Media Movement (FMM) is very surprised to learn that the head of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the […]
Journalist target of intimidation, surveillance following reports on corruption
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 17 February 2008 FMM press release: TV news director followed by hostile group 17 February 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is disturbed to hear of a complaint made by Susil Kindelpitiya, news director of the popular Sinhala TV channel Sirasa, to the police headquarters in Colombo. In […]
FMM protests abuse of journalists by police, civil defense committees
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 13 February 2008 FMM letter to Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police Victor Perera: Inspector General of Police Police Headquarters Colombo 1 Dear Sir, A note alerting you to harassment faced by journalists in Sri Lanka by Civil Defense Committees and members of the Police The Free Media Movement […]
Thousand-strong march to protest escalating attacks “the strongest show of solidarity for media freedom in recent times,” says IFJ
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Journalists in Sri Lanka Take to the Streets in Act of Solidarity The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) strongly supports the thousand-strong protest march for press freedom in Colombo on February 14 and urges the Government of Sri Lanka to hear their demands. Organised by the […]
Six IFEX members urge government to uphold media’s right to report safely as attacks escalate
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by six IFEX members and other organisations: IFJ Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting, Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement to President and Government of Sri Lanka We, the representatives of journalists’ unions and associations across the Asia-Pacific region, meeting in Kuala Lumpur, appeal to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government of […]
Journalist followed by vehicles that tried to hit him; armed men break into another journalist’s home
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Signs of media repression: A journalist followed and another media worker threatened The FMM, with regret and foreboding, notes that threats and intimidation of journalists continue in Sri Lanka, with two more disturbing cases reported. A car and a motorbike followed investigative journalist Lasantha Ruhunage of […]
Associate editor of Tamil newspaper stabbed
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 28 January 2008 FMM press release: Associate Editor of Tamil newspaper stabbed 28th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) is shocked and dismayed to report another stabbing of a journalist. This is the second violent attack with deadly intent against a journalist reported within a […]
High government official advocates censorship, return of criminal defamation laws
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Sri Lankan Defense Secretary openly states he is in favour of draconian censorship and criminalising defamation 27th January 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka – The FMM is appalled to learn that the brother of the Sri Lankan President, Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, has openly stated that media […]
Journalist knifed following death threats
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 26 January 2008 joint press release by FMM and other organisations: Journalist cut with sharp knife We, the five media major media organisations in Sri Lanka, are shocked and appalled by the knife attack on journalist Lal Hemantha Mawalage on the night of 25 January 2008 in Athurigiriya, a […]
Suspects in journalist’s stabbing in Bingiriya turn themselves in; IFJ bemoans police inaction
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is an IFJ media release: Attacks continue on journalists in Sri Lanka The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is angered by the attack on journalist and correspondent for Sinhala language TV channel SIRASA, U.S.A. Bandara, on January 16, by a Sri Lankan politician. The Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, […]
Journalist harassed, assaulted by local officials while covering bus tragedy
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist assaulted by a politician Journalist U.S.A. Bandara was threatened and assaulted by a ruling party politician while covering the aftermath of an attack on a civilian bus, which took place around 7:00 a.m. (local time) on 16 January 2008 in Okkampitiya, Monaragala. At least 27 […]