Governor confiscates camera after claiming the journalist is a terrorist

General Chandrasiri, governer Northen province

2009-11-05 | 9.30 PM
Northern Province Government Major General G.A. Chandrasiri had confiscated camera equipment worth Rs. 200,000 belonging to one Reuter’s journalist

M. Subramaniam

, also known as Subu and has failed to return it as yet.

Subu had arrived in Vavuniya on May 14 to cover the former Chief Juustice Sarath N. Silva’s visit to the IDP camps in Vavuniya following an invitation extended to him by the Registrar of the Vavuniya courts. The former Chief Justice had left after visiting the Menik Farm and Ramanathapurma IDP camps. The Major General who was in charge of security and the military police personnel at the camps had summoned Subu to his office and questioned him for about four and a half hours.
He had told Subramaniam that it was sufficient only to have the photographs of the Chief Justice and had erased the rest of the photographs saved in his digital camera claiming there was no need for Subu to have pictures of the IDPs.

Although Subramaniam had informed the Major General that he was a journalist attached to the Reuters news service and showed the relevant documentation, the military officer had said, “All foreign correspondents work against the country. This fellow can be an LTTEer.” The Major General had then ordered his security personnel to take charge of Subramaniam’s camera and other equipment. The military personnel had then recorded statement from Subramaniam and from the court Registrar who had invited him to cover the event in Vavuniya.

The Northern Province Government G.A. Chandrasiri is still in possession of the D40X Nikon digital camera and 18mm-270mm lens worth Rs. 165,000 and a mini Canon video recorded worth Rs. 60,000. Several attempts made by Subramaniam to get his camera equipment have failed.

Following this incident several unidentified persons have visited Subramaniam’s residence and inquired into his actions. Upon being informed of the situation, the Reuters office in Colombo had advised Subramaniam to leave Vavuniya as it was no longer safe for him to reside there. Subramaniam had left the area a few days later and the Northern Province Governor has still not made any effort to return the camera equipment that belonged to the journalist.

The Reuters news agency has been silent about the issue and the local media organizations have also decided to keep silent about the incident although they are well aware of the matter.
http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2009_11_05_004.html