Free Media Movement

Two journalists were assaulted when supporters of the ruling parties and the opposition clashed in Uva province, Sri Lanka. In a separate incident, another journalist was targeted in Jaffna by a group of people who claimed to be members of the security forces.

Media groups condemn the decision of the Sri Lankan government to ban civil society NGOs from having any dealings with the media, including organising and conducting legitimate and necessary media-training activities.

No explanation has been provided for the Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. decision to terminate the services of editorial director Lalith Alahakoon and cartoonist Wasantha Siriwardana.

The court declined leave to proceed in a case filed under the country’s fundamental rights provisions against the blocking of certain websites.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) has demanded that “any news related to national security, security forces, and the police should get prior approval from the MCNS before dissemination”.

The article refers to an alleged conspiracy between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the FMM and claims a joint delegation plans to mobilise agitations against the government and cause embarrassment for Sri Lanka during the upcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva.

TNL Chairman Shan Wickremesinghe believes the threats may be linked to a recent programme aired by Isira Radio, exposing the connection between the drop in the share market and the drug mafia.

The journalist and her friends were putting up posters advertising an open forum to discuss several contentious issues.