Armed group threatens journalist in Kalpitiya area
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Armed group threatens “Lankadeepa” correspondent in Kalpitiya It has been reported to the Free Media Movement that a group of armed men in civilian clothes visited the workplace of Mrs. Pathma Kumari, the provincial correspondent for the newspaper “Lankadeepa” in the Kalpitiya area, Puttalam district, in […]
“Mawbima” and “Sunday Standard” newspapers closed by government pressure
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: Killing Free Media: The forced closure of Mawbima and the Sunday Standard FMM is deeply distressed to hear news of the untimely demise of the “Mawbima” and “Sunday Standard” newspapers, published by the Standard Newspaper Group. In our statement of 13 March 2007, we first expressed […]
CAPSULE REPORT: In report to UN, FMM calls for urgent measures to halt deterioration of media freedom
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 24 March 2007 FMM press release: Gasping for freedom: Media in Sri Lanka Report submitted by the Free Media Movement for the third session of the UN Human Rights Council, March 2007 The Free Media Movement (FMM) of Sri Lanka addresses the 4th session of the UN Human Rights […]
Army said to be holding Tamil journalist who went missing five weeks ago
(RSF/IFEX) – Following the police chief’s recent admission that the security forces have been involved in abductions, Reporters Without Borders has confirmed that the military participated in the arrest of journalist Subramaniam Ramachandran on 15 February 2007, north of Jaffna. Colleagues think he is now being held secretly at a military camp. “We appeal to […]
“Mawbima” journalist freed after four months, no charges; FMM criticises government and media smear
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 22 March 2007 FMM press release: A resounding victory for truth and justice: The release of Munusami Parameshwari The Free Media Movement (FMM) registers its profound relief and elation on the release of “Mawbima” journalist Munusami Parameshwari on 22 March 2007. She was arrested on 21 November 2006and held […]
CPJ urges government to ensure newsprint delivery to Jaffna without interference
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a 13 March 2007 CPJ letter to the Sri Lankan minister of mass media and information: Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, MP Minister of Mass Media and Information 163, Kirulapona Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka Via facsimile: 94-11-2513462 Dear Minister Yapa: The Committee to Protect Journalists is distressed by the […]
Government seals bank accounts of critical newspaper, its owner
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 13 March 2007 FMM press release: “Mawbima” newspaper accounts sealed Free Media Movement is disturbed to hear that the bank accounts of the Sinhala-language weekly “Mawbima” were sealed today, 13 March 2007, by the government. “Mawbima” is a critical newspaper and has a wide circulation among the Sinhala population. […]
Report of international press freedom mission highlights dire situation for media
(IFJ/IFEX) – The following is a 9 March 2007 IFJ media release: IFJ says new report highlights dire situation for Sri Lankan media The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called for action in response to the terrible press freedom and journalist safety situation in Sri Lanka, after the release of the final report of […]
Defence official’s comments severely undermine media freedom, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 23 February 2007 FMM press release: “Freedom of the Wild Ass” vs. Media Freedom in Sri Lanka The comments by Sri Lankan Defence Spokesperson Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella, made in English and Sinhala on the 6 March 2007 news broadcast of the government-owned Independent Television Network (ITN), augment the increasing […]
Weekly newspaper executive arrested under anti-terror law
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has condemned the Sri Lankan security forces’ improper use of the anti-terror law to arrest people working for the media. Dushantha Basnayake, financial director of Standard Newspapers Private Limited (SNPL), which publishes the Sinhalese-language weekly “Mawbima”, was arrested in the capital, Colombo, on 26 February 2007. Officers of the Terrorist […]
Defence ministry website misrepresents FMM’s position on three abducted journalists
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 16 February 2007 FMM letter to Sri Lankan Defence Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa: Secretary Ministry of Defense Government of Sri Lanka 16.Feb.2007 Dear Sir, We wish to bring to your attention a news story on the website http://www.defense.lk on the Free Media Movement that is factually incorrect and grossly […]
FMM strongly condemns minister for advocating violent repression of democratic dissent
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 19 February 2007 joint press release by FMM and other organisations: Disturbing statement by Government Minister prompts urgent call for clarification We strongly condemn the statement by Champika Ranawaka, minister for environment and natural resources, advocating the brutal suppression of democratic dissent, even through extrajudicial ways and means. The […]
Missing Tamil journalist had received death threats
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders has voiced deep concern about the disappearance on the evening of 15 February 2007 of Subramaniam Ramachandran, a correspondent for the Tamil dailies “Thinakural” and “Valampuri” in the Vadamaradchi region north of Jaffna. The organisation said it was worried about the cruel lack of protection for media personnel in this […]
Journalist reported missing in Jaffna
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an FMM press release: A journalist reported missing in Jaffna Subramaniam Ramachandran, 37, father of two, working as Vadamaratchi correspondent for “Yarl Thinakkural” and “Valampuri” since 2001, has gone missing, according to FMM contacts in Jaffna. “Yarl Thinakkural” and “Valampuri” are two dailies published in the war-ravaged northern peninsula of […]
President rewards political party with broadcast licences for election support, criticises newspaper over coverage
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 14 February 2007 FMM press release: The Free Media Movement (FMM) registers its serious disquiet over aspects of the speech related to media, made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on 10th February 2007. The full speech was telecast on […]
Government’s silencing of voices opposed to journalists’ abduction and arrest “unacceptable”, says FMM
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is an 8 February 2007 FMM press release: Media and Terrorism The Free Media Movement is relieved by the public acknowledgement of the arrest and detention of the three trade unionists associated with the AKUNA bi-monthly newspaper. On February 6, we had noted our concern regarding the apparent abduction and disappearance […]