Monthly Archives: May, 2012
President claims 8 websites bring evil to the country
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has claimed that eight websites, run by one person, are bringing evil to the country. He made the comment during a speech to expatriate Sri Lankans in … Continue reading
Sharmini Boyle is FMM’s new convener
The Free Media Movement has appointed Sharmini Boyle of YA TV as its convener. The FMM appointed new office bearers at its general meeting at the SLPI yesterday (May 29). … Continue reading
Army’s name used to repress media – Fonseka
Former Army chief Sarath Fonseka alleges that during the war period, president Mahinda Rajapaksa had implicated the Army for media attacks to give the impression that it had been responsible … Continue reading
Muslim journalist assaulted for expressing solidarity with Mannaar Bishop
An official employed by the Sri Lankan Minister of Industries and Trade, Rishard Badurdeen, on Monday assaulted a 72-year-old Muslim journalist, MA Cader, for having taken part in a prayer … Continue reading
US state dept report 2011: Freedom of Speech and PressStatus of Freedom of Speech and Press in Sri Lanka
The law provides for freedom of speech, including for members of the press, but the government did not respect these rights in practice. Government officials criticized, pressured, harassed, and arrested … Continue reading
Court order against People’s Wall for Comradeship
Vavuniya police have, through a court order, halted a protest organized by the People’s Wall for Comradeship. Convener of the organization Sunil Handunnetti said the demonstration had been planned against … Continue reading
Journalist C.J. Amaratunga writes to IGP alleging plot against him
Senior journalist C.J. Amaratunga has written to the police chief alleging a plot by a section of the government against him using the police. Mr. Amaratunga is a journalist with … Continue reading
No ban on websites, but must register
The Media Ministry is only acting according to judgments given by the Supreme Court in connection with registering websites. The Media Ministry merely requests websites to register with the ministry … Continue reading
IFJ Disappointed by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court Decision on Internet Restrictions
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its partner organisations in Sri Lanka in expressing disappointment at yesterday’s decision by a three-member bench of Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, to decline … Continue reading
TRC Seeks Suspension Of New Broadcasting Licenses
The Telecom Regulatory Commission (TRC) has urged the Media Ministry not to issue new licenses for radio or television stations. TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita said that the TRC was … Continue reading
US concerns on Ekneligoda’s disappearance
The Obama administration recognized Sri Lankan Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance case as a major blow to world press freedom, during the run up to the State Departments programmes on Press … Continue reading
Best interests of the media served by providing true and accurate information: SLRC head
Press Freedom Day marked with panel discussion Thursday at the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) to mark World Press Freedom Day under the theme ‘New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to … Continue reading
How the Brahmins marked World Press Freedom Day in Sri Lanka
The World Press Freedom Day – May 3 2012 –will remain a black day in the history of media freedom in Sri Lanka, the resplendent and blessed isle. Self-acclaimed champions … Continue reading
Media is still suppressed
With Sri Lanka dropping five places in the World Press Freedom Index from 158 in 2010 to 163 in 2011, the country’s press freedom today lies suppressed with the parliament … Continue reading
LLRC Report recommended access to Information Law
by Patricia. A. Butenis The 20th century American politician Thomas “Tip” O’Neill once famously said that “all politics is local.” That was often true of the news in the last century … Continue reading
CCD detains journalists
The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) detained two journalists this morning for taking visuals and images outside the CCD office in Dematagoda. Swarnavahini video cameraman/journalist Indika Sri Aravinda and Randiva newspaper photographer … Continue reading
New Frontiers, New Struggles – Press Freedom in South Asia, 2011-12
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has this year, as in the past, collaborated with a range of partners in South Asia to produce a report which reviews developments in … Continue reading
