Journalist Thilak Kodagoda who wrote an article critical to the Ravaya newspaper of aspiring President of the National Art Council, Buddhadasa Galappaththi has reportedly received death threats.
Kodagaoda’s article had also been critical of the chief compiler of the Sunday Divaina newspaper and Art Council member, Gamini Sumanasekera.
Angered by the article, Sumanasekera it is learnt had called Kodagoda and threatened him with death. “I will tell about you to the army commander and get you killed. You better be careful,” Sumanasekera had told Kodagoda.
Following the threat, Kodagoda is currently taking steps to ensure his safety.
Sumanasekera is also a member of the Sri Lankan Editor’s Guild.
During the past months, Kodagoda wrote several articles to the Ravaya newspaper on the plight of the civilians trapped in the fighting between the security forces and the LTTE. It is therefore learnt that Sumanasekera had informed Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka that Kodagoda is a journalist who is against the security forces.
The portrayal of journalists as those against armed forces has placed their lives at risk. It is alleged that The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated due to the expose he made on the MiG deal. Also, journalists Iqbal Athas, Namal Perera and Keith Noyar have come under attack for being critical of the armed forces.
http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2009_07_02_004.html
