Monthly Archives: June, 2010
The failure of international journalism in Sri Lanka
For many decades now, international journalists have interpreted every story that has emerged from Sri Lanka to be some kind of war story. Some journalists have proposed that Sri Lanka’s use of overwhelming force was able to eradicate terrorism in the country, and that other countries such as the United States, should follow suit.
AG’s independence: Civic rights leaders express concern
Civic Rights and Social Justice leaders yesterday urged the government to reassure the people of the independent status of the Attorney General and that the AG’s Department be brought back under the Ministry of Justice.
Political witch hunt launched against CEO of Lankaenews web
Media Freedom Sri Lanka (MFSL) considers the attacks launched by the Government of Sri Lanka against Chandima Withanaarachchi, CEO of http://www.lankanewsweb.com, as a politically motivated witch hunt.
Veteran journalist dies after attack by rogue
Senior journalist Vilma Wimaladasa, who started her professional career in the “old” “Times of Ceylon” in 1953, passed away at the age of 80 and was buried, according to her wishes, at a private funeral on Thursday.
Vilma receiving her journalism award in 2006
Gotabhaya’s army demolish a church
About 100 police officers who had arrived at a Christian church in Rajagiriya along with officials from Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s Urban Development Authority (UDA) and had demolished the church yesterday (25).
Rivira Editor becomes victim to the Rajapaksas and loses job and salary
Rivira Editor, Upali Tennekoon, who fled to the US with his wife following a brutal attack on him it to be sacked from his job by the new administration at the newspaper organization.
The 15 EU conditions: ‘Erode authority of the Govt. of Sri Lanka’ – Ministry of External Affairs
Here are the 15 conditions spelt out by the European Commission for renewal of GSP+ and followed by response from the Ministry of External Affairs, Sri Lanka:
A mad slinging journalist gang against Sri Lanka – state media
It has been reported that ten media personal, who have left the country on many pretexts and applied for political asylum are engaged in a conspiracy against Sri Lanka.
POLICE OFFICER APOLOGISES TO MP ROSY SENANAYAKE IN SC-( Right to protest)
A chief police inspector apologized to the UNP parliamentarian Rosy Senanayake in the Supreme Court today. He was the first respondent named in a petition filed by Ms. Senanayake claiming that her fundamental rights had been violated.
First executive decision by new management – Rivira stops Senior Editor’s salary
The staff of Rivira Media Corporation are shell-shocked at the decision by the new management of the newspaper group to stop the salary of Rivira Founding Editor Upali Tennakoon. Tennakoon who has been in exile in the United States after he and his wife were brutally attacked by unidentified gunmen on motorbikes in January last year, is set to return to Sri Lanka in August this year, even though his attackers are yet to be brought to book.
Sirasa TV ordered to hand over visuals of SF’s speech
Colombo Magistrate Sujeewa Nissanka yesterday ordered Sirasa Television to hand over the video recordings to the CID of the interview conducted with Retired General Sarath Fonseka on 14th December 2009 together with the originals of the visuals of the speeches made by General Sarath Fonseka at Matara and Ratnapura Districts during the Presidential Election period.
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Sri Lanka
The Secretary-General has appointed a Panel of Experts that will advise him on the issue of accountability with regard to any alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka
No unconditional extention of GSP +
The Delegation of the European Union to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka & the Maldives would like to clarify information which has appeared in several press articles related to the ongoing dialogue on GSP plus between the European Commission and the Government of Sri Lanka.
Sinhalese with LTTE leader photo further remanded
Puththa’lam Magistrate Monday ordered further remand till June 30 for a Sinhalese civilian Amarasingha Chandana when he was produced from prison on a charge that he was carrying a photograph of LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan.
Safe Passage for Tissainayagam Just One Step Toward Free Media in Sri Lanka
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is relieved that J.S. Tissainayagam is safe, following more than two years of an ordeal in which the Sri Lankan Tamil journalist was accused, charged and tried for terrorism for his journalistic reporting on human rights issues.
Freed Sri Lankan journalist Tissainayagam arrives in U.S.
The Committee to Protect Journalist welcomes the arrival in the United States of Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who arrived at Washington’s Dulles International Airport on Saturday morning.
IIFA row hits Batti in dramatic scene
An unidentified group has called on theatre owners in Batticaloa to refrain from screening movies produced in Tamil Nadu in a move to hit back at Indian film stars who boycotted the recent IIFA awards ceremony in Colombo.
Paramilitary elements set fire to theatre in Kaaththaankudi
Unidentified persons breaking into Shanthi Theatre in Kaaththaankudi police division in Batticaloa Thursday night set fire to the screen and the stage and left handbills which said that no theatres in the North and East should show any South Indian film for a week according to the complaint made to Kaaththankudi police by Shanthi Theatre owner.
Post-conflict solutions in Sri Lanka must tackle underlying issues – UN official
UN Political Affairs chief, B. Lynn Pascoe, inspects mine equipment on visit to Mullaitivu District
17 June 2010 – Political solutions that address the grievances which fuelled the long-running civil war in Sri Lanka are necessary to heal the wounds left by the conflict, the top United Nations political official said today as he wrapped up a two-day visit to the South Asian country.
Rajapaksa for ever? Sri Lankan ruling party wants presidential limit lifted
Sri Lanka’s ruling majority is planning to push forward constitutional amendments that would allow for unlimited presidential terms, sparking an outcry from opposition groups and left-leaning members of its own coalition.
