Daily Archives: February 18, 2010
Sri Lanka: Disappearance of human rights defender Mr Pattani Razeek
Front Line is gravely concerned by reports of the disappearance of human rights defender, Mr Pattani Razeek, managing trustee of the Community Trust Fund (CTF) and member of the Executive Committee of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA).
Lasantha’s phone calls under probe
The CID informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate Harsha Setunga that they have initiated investigations on five telephone numbers over the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga near the Malagalage Primary school at Attidiya on January 8 last year.
Murdered Sri Lankan journalist honored as ‘hero’
A Sri Lankan journalist who was fatally shot last year has been recognized by the International Press Institute as a hero for freedom of the press, the group announced Thursday.The institute said it is naming Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was editor of Sri Lankan newspaper The Sunday Leader, as an IPI World Press Freedom Hero.
ATTACKS ON THE PRESS IN 2009 – SRI LANKA
On may 19, the government formally declared a victory in its 26-year civil war with the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which had claimed territory for an ethnic Tamil homeland. Victory came at a high price for the press. Escalating attacks on independent journalists coincided with the government’s 2006 decision to pursue an all-out military victory.
NEW APPLICATION FOR SHANKTHI TV IN JAFFNA
Attorney at law Sanjeewa Jayawardena informed the Supreme Court today that an application would be forwarded to the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) for a licence for the Shankthi TV channel, which had been in operation in the Jaffna peninsula for the last seven years.
‘Lanka’ editor claims his release a mystery
The Editor of the Sinhalese tabloid ‘Lanka’ yesterday said there was some mystery behind his arrest and subsequent release.Chandana Sirimalwatte said he was taken away stating that he would be sent back after recording a statement but later was informed that he had been arrested following a detention order.
US unhappy with State media
The US Embassy in Colombo says it is disappointed that the State media recently choose to carry a “provocative and groundless” story without allowing the U.S. to comment on the spurious claims.
