Four journalists sent on compulsory leave by state-owned TV network
(FMM/IFEX) – Four journalists with the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), the state-owned national television network, were sent on compulsory leave with immediate effect on 26 September 2007. Among those affected is the president of the Producers’ Union, the trade union of the SLRC. The journalists have been singled out for urging in a letter […]
Draft legislation prohibiting coverage of defence procurement violates freedom of expression, warns FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: On draft new emergency regulations prohibiting defence procurement Reported draft new Emergency Regulations prohibiting coverage of defence procurement violates freedom of expression, media freedom and gravely undermines transparency and accountability. The Free Media Movement (FMM) reliably learns that the government is preparing to promulgate new Emergency […]
Police officer threatens journalist, confiscates his recording equipment
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM condemns the harassment of Pothuvil “Lankadeepa” correspondent by official The Mix Media Foundation in Ampara district informed FMM that one of its members, Mr. U Wijesinghe, was threatened in abusive language by a deputy inspector general of the police who also forcibly seized the journalist’s […]
Police question journalist who revealed senior official’s son imported luxury car; threatened reporter stops writing on military matters
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is outraged that the police interrogated Indika Sakalasooriya of the Colombo-based newspaper “The Nation” on 14 September 2007 about a report that the son of a senior ruling party official imported a British-made luxury car without paying customs duty. The police asked him to reveal his sources. “After last month’s […]
Media organizations comment on proposed national media policy, make recommendations
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a joint statement by FMM and eight other organisations on the proposed National Media Policy: Statement by Nine Media Organisations on the proposed National Media Policy We, the undersigned organisations, welcome the government’s recently announced initiative to establish enabling structures and a positive culture for media freedom and social responsibility. […]
Journalist, still in jeopardy, says government never offered protection
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 31 August 2007 CPJ press release: Sri Lankan journalist, still in jeopardy, says government never offered protection New York, August 31, 2007 – The Committee to Protect Journalists remains concerned about the safety of Sri Lankan journalist Iqbal Athas, who has come under threat after writing an August 12 […]
Veteran journalist subject to grave threats, extraordinary pressure after writing again about suspicious arms deals
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 28 August 2007 CPJ letter to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa: August 28, 2007 His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa President of Sri Lanka and Minister of Defense, Public Security, Law and Order Presidential Secretariat Colombo 1 Sri Lanka Via facsimile: +94 11 2430 590 Dear President Rajapaksa: The Committee to […]
FMM concerned over recent series of violent attacks, threats against journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: FMM condemns continuous violence against media FMM expresses its serious concern at the continuing violence being directed against journalists and media in the country. This trend, if not curtailed, will restrict media freedom and diminish people’s right to information. An acid attack on K.P. Mohan, defence […]
Military prohibits discussion of human rights issues in meetings with UN visitor
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 9 August 2007 FMM joint statement with other organisations: Press statement condemning military interference on Jaffna NGOs meetings with UN Under Secretary General on Humanitarian Affairs 9 August 2007, Colombo, Sri Lanka – As civil society organizations concerned about the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka, […]
Student journalist shot dead in Jaffna
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Journalist student/part-time journalist shot dead in Jaffna Nilakshan Sahapavan, aged 22, a student journalist at the Jaffna Media Resource Training Centre (MRTC) and a part-time journalist, was shot dead on the morning of 1 August by unidentified gunmen. The men, on motorcycles, woke Sahapavan at his […]
Chief Justice’s comments on film have “grave implications for freedom of expression”, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) ? The following is an FMM press release: Chief Justice’s extempore comments violate freedom of expression, prevent fair hearing and compromise independence of judiciary in Aksharaya case According to a Lanka E-News news report datelined 31 July 2007, in a Supreme Court hearing on an impugned decision by the Public Performances Control Board to […]
Restrictions placed on NGOs in military-controlled areas; foreshadows more limitations on right to information and expression of opinion, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Restrictions placed on NGOs in military-controlled areas The Free Media Movement notes with grave concern the news regarding the restrictions to be placed on NGOs in areas of the Eastern province that have recently come under government control. “The Daily Mirror” report of 26 July 2007 […]
Supreme Court finds journalist’s detention illegal
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 17 July 2007 FMM press release: Journalist wins a FR case The Supreme Court of Sri-Lanka declared the detention of journalist Sivanathan Sivaramya by the police on 1 May 2006 illegal and ordered the two officers responsible to pay 50,000 Sri Lankan rupees (approx. US$446) in compensation to the […]
Regional officials threaten, assault broadcast journalist, forcibly seize his equipment
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 July 2007 FMM press release: Assault on Sirasa Provincial correspondent The FMM has been informed by the Polonnaruwa Provincial Journalists Association that B. A. Wijerathna Podibanda, the Aralaganvila correspondent for the broadcasting station MTV/SIRASA, was threatened and assaulted by officials from the Mahaweli Authority. The incident occurred on […]
FMM responds to president’s comments on media freedom, proposes policy, legislative reforms
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 July 2007 FMM press release: President’s Comments on Media Freedom and Reform According to state media reports, President Mahinda Rajapakse, in comments made while chairing a “progress review meeting” of the Ministry for Media and Information, reiterated the government’s “commitment to depoliticise media and ensure media freedom” and […]
Cabinet receives emergency proposal to reintroduce criminal defamation
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 27 June 2007 FMM press release: Attempts to reintroduce criminal defamation law The FMM is shocked and dismayed by attempts by the present government to bring back the criminal defamation law, which was repealed by the UNP government in June 2002 as a result of campaigns by national as […]