Power Point presentation for INSD meeting 2-4th Oct 2009, Germany read as a PDF

Microsoft PowerPoint – media freedom issues Oct 2009

Advocacy document submitted to mission in Geneva in October 2009- read as PDF

Briefing on FOE at Geneva Oct 2009

FOE violations January 2009 – September 2009

Read as a PDF

Microsoft Word – Freedom of expression major violations 2009 upto 15th Sep

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JDS July E-Bulletin -2009 – read as a pdf

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THE RESURGENCE OF TERROR AND THE PARAMILITARY FORCES IN SRI LANKA.

Investigative report consolidated by the five media organizations of Sri Lanka

Presentation of the Report to the All Religious Conference on 7th April 2009 at the

Abhyarama, Narahenpita

There have been two terror attacks on two media institutions and life threatening attacks on four journalists in the past three months. Yet the concerned authorities have been unable to bring to the book or even identify the persons responsible for the above attacks.

Our investigations have revealed that the organized armed groups that carry out these terror attacks operate under the authority of a power over and above the police and the armed forces that are in place to provide security to the people of Sri Lanka.

The five media organizations carried out special investigations into the following incidents

1. The January 6th attack on Sirasa media network building which was set on fire.

2. The assassination of the Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga on 8th January 2009.

3. The attack on the Max TV station on 23rd February 2009.

4. The attack on Editor Upali Tennakoon on 24th February 2009.

5. The abduction of Editor N. Vidyadaran on 26th February 2009.

6. The abduction of Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayaka on 12th March 2009.

In addition to these attacks the following took place in the past year

1. The attack on Guruparan a journalist of Suryan FM.

2. The attack on Keith Noyar, Deputy Editor the Nation newspaper.

3. The brutal attack and attempted abduction of Journalist Namal Perera and Media

Secretary of the British High Commission, Mahendra Ratnaweera.

Investigation were carried out in the following areas

1. The contradictory statements issued by the Police and authorities, their spontaneous

responses and conclusions.

2. The subsequent change in the conclusion and statements issued by the police and

other authorities of the Government.

3. The findings of the Police change drastically when presented in court.

4. The distinct difference in the manner of reporting and importance given to these

acts of terror in the State and private media.

5. The responses of the authorities immediately after the incident.

6. The information collected from the victims of the terror attacks.

7. Information given by the witnesses to these attacks

8. The police misleading the investigation by giving multiple interpretations to the

information.

The attack on Max TV and the incidents that took place subsequently substantiate our findings discovered through our investigations.

The persons who illegally entered the Max TV station were armed group and were also under the influence of alcohol at the time of entry. Upon investigation as to how they arrived at the TV station, we discovered based on the vehicle number that was taken down by one of the employees of TV station that the vehicle belonged to the police. Uniformed police officers who arrived at the scene subsequent to the attack stated that the armed group that brutally attacked the security personnel and journalist of the said station were from the MIrihana Police Station. While apologizing to the personnel of Max TV, the police officers said that the armed group had mistakenly entered the said premises. Though our conclusion may not be accurate, it is very unfortunate to find police officers behaving in such unlawful and undisciplined manner, even if it’s by mistake. This has even been accepted by senior police officers.

Upon a complaint lodged by the five media organizations with the Defense Secretary, he informed us through a letter that he has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take necessary steps upon inquiry. The National Police Commission (NPC), has initiated an investigation into the incident based on a complaint made by the five media organizations. Hence it’s proved beyond any doubt that this armed terror group was a group that belonged to the ‘official’ Police force of Sri Lanka. This group had mistakenly entered the premises of the TV station while on official duty. Before embarking on such mission according to the law, this fact has to be entered in the police log and has to be carried out with the knowledge of a senior officer. Subsequent such an unlawful act, a senior officer would arrive at the scene and express regret to pacify the public. This has been the modus operandi of the Police and the Armed Forces who are the legitimate forces to protect Sri Lanka and its people.

If an official armed group had entered the ‘Sirasa’ premises, bounded the security

personnel and set fire to the building, it’s reasonable to assume given the modus operandi of the Police that a senior officer of the Police would have arrived at the scene and expressed regret for the said incident in same manner as in the Max TV incident. However the Police did not respond in this manner in this case.

Our investigations have showed that the armed assassins of Lasantha Wickramatunga travelling on two motor cycles, the assailants of Upali Tennakoon and wife who were also travelling on two motor cycles, the armed persons in uniform and civil attire who abducted editor Vidyadaran, from a funeral ceremony in Mount Lavinia, dragging him along the ground before he was bundled him into a white van and the persons who abducted Professor Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake, according to our investigations, have never carried out these terror acts in the same manner as the inebriated group of policemen that unlawfully entered the Max TV station after following the procedure of informing the authorities prior to embarking on the attack.

The investigation has also revealed that the covert operations are carried out by a

paramilitary group and that this group has the patronage of an ultra-powerful authority, when carrying out its terror attacks.

During the investigation it was discovered that this terror group has managed to escape with the abductee through an efficient network of barricades and checkpoints that are in place in and around Colombo to prevent terror activities. This fact can also lead to a second and most inevitable conclusion that there is some mechanism of releasing the terror group after the vehicle they are travelling with the abductee is stopped for a routine check at these check posts.

Though during this investigation several other issues came to light we firmly believe that the above highlighted points are sufficient to prove our allegation.

There was an era during which previous Governments were responsible for the spate of terror activities of this nature. His Excellency, President Mahinda Rajapakse, then, as an Opposition Member of Parliament, took to the streets and protested vehemently against the terror that was unleashed on the people of this country, the disappearances, attacks on institutions and many other terror attacks. He even went before the United Nations Human Rights Commission in Geneva to file a complaint against the disappearances and terror activities that were taking place in Sri Lanka. During this era he received the support of the Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranayke (then Opposition Leader), civil society groups, the Free Media Movement, Muslim Journalists Association, Tamil Journalists Association, Working Journalists Association and all left wing political parties.

It’s to President Mahinda Rajapakse’s discredit that another spate of terror is unleashed by paramilitary groups during his tenure as President; the very groups which he acted against as a young opposition politician. The free operation of these groups is not only a danger to the public and the right to live but also a threat to the fabric of our society and country.

It’s only the Police and the Armed Forces that can put a stop to these terror groups. We are confident that our Police Force and the Armed Forces can to prevent further terror attacks and neutralize the terror groups but this can be achieved if only the Police and Armed Forces are utilized in a proper manner.

The President, as enshrined in the Constitution is the Commander of the much capable Police and Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. We present this investigative report to the clergy of all religious communities of Sri Lanka, to urge the President to intervene in this matter, to protect the media persons and the public from the acts of the terror groups that have enveloped our society today.

Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association

Federation of Media Employees Trade Union

Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance

Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum

Free Media Movement

MEDIAFREEDOMINSRILANKA

Freedom of Expression news from Sri Lanka

Monthly report No 03; period covered March 2009

List of Incidents

1. 01^st March 2009 – Secretary, SLWJA demoted
2. 02^nd March 2009 – ANCL employee rights curbed
3. 04^th March 2009 – SIS visit neighbors of secretary FMTUE
4. 05^th March 2009 – Gov says NGOs work as LTTE media
5. 09^th March 2009 – Magazine distributor arrested
6. 10^th March 2009 – Editor Sudaroli detained for 3 months
7. 11^th March 2009 – Journalism professor abducted
8. 12^th March 2009 – State media attacks unnamed journalists as traitors
9. 15^th March 2009 – Defence secretary name editor as a traitor
10. 18^th March 2009 – Police says the editor was abducted
11. 20^th March 2009 – Nationalist media attack IFJ
12. 21^st March 2009 – Police silent on the assault on the editor
13. 21^st March 2009 – Gov. establish a journalists organization
14. 22^nd March 2009 – Bishops concerned on anti conversion bill
15. 23d March 2009 – MP questioned over abduction of journalism professor
16. 25^t March 2009 – Editor Sudaroli filed a FR case
17. 25^th March 2009 – State media attacks FMM secretary
18. 26^th March 2009 – Editor’s letter to authorities censored by Media
19. 27^th March 2009 – Another HR defender arrested
20. 31^st March 2009 – Vikalapa CJ cite labeled as terrorists
21. 01^st April 2009 – Minister labeled Panos as pro terrorist
22. 01^st April 2009 – Editor attacked with knifes and swards

In short:

01. 01^st March 2009 – Secretary, SLWJA demoted

Poddala Jayantha, the general secretary of Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association was

demoted by his employer the Government controlled Associated Newspaper Ceylon Limited. Jayantha an award winning investigative journalist who was assigned to weekly Sinhala news Paper has been transferred to Children’s news paper called MIHIRA. He used to work as provincial news editor of the Sinhala language weekly. There is no reason other than his media activism for this demotion. In a special order to ANCL management has advised the security that Mr. Jayantha should not be allowed to go out during the working hours as he will not be given any out side assignments.

02. 02^nd March 2009 – ANCL employee rights curbed

Government controlled Associated News Papers of Ceylon Limited has taken drastic measures to curtail rights and welfare facilities enjoyed by the journalists and media workers of the institution. So far collective agreement for the year 2009 has not been singed by the management. Majority of the journalists have been given new salary placements, which are far below the scales they enjoyed. Meals subsidy has been taken away and cost of lunch has gone up by 5 fold. TU rights too are to be curtailed in a according to new gazette notification issued by the government.

03. 04^th March 2009 – SIS visit neighbors of secretary FMTUE

For the second time within a month Special Intelligence Service personal visited the neighborhood of Darmasiri Lankapeli, general secretary of the federation of Media Employers Trade Union (FMETU). The officer who visited the neighborhood had advised them to inform the SIS of any unknown persons visiting Mr. Lankapeli.

04. 05^th March 2009 – Gov says NGOs work as LTTE media

The government criticized NGOs for their pro terrorist stance and not helping in Sri Lanka’s efforts to defeat the LTTE. Commenting on the Human rights watch report minister Anura Yapa said that “This is false propaganda. The report has been compiled with information obtained from a third party. There have not been any direct interviews with inmates of camps. Many aspersions being cast are mere hearsay” On number of occasions various government spokespersons blamed NGOs for carrying out propaganda for the “terrorists”.

05. 09^th March 2009 – Magazine distributor arrested

The Mt. Lavinia Police arrested Manager of the Poobalasingam Book Depot at Wellawatte Mr. Sritharasing at his Wellawatte residence on March 5. Police told newspapers that he was arrested for distributing Tamil magazines published in South India that are in support of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Dozens of copies of the magazine Ananda Vikadan were to be sent to Jaffna and were detected at the Ratmalana Airport, according to the Police. The magazine has been released by the customs for distribution in Sri Lanka. A few days later student who was going to Jaffna was arrested at the same airport when they found a copy of the magazine with him.

06. 10^th March 2009 – Editor Sudaroli detained for 3 months

N. Vithyatharan editor of Colombo based Tamil daily who was abducted/arrested on 26^th Feb was detained for 3 months by a detention order issued by the Ministry of Defence. He is detained at the Terrorist Investigation Division at Colombo Fort. Under the emergency regulation 90 day detention order cannot be challenged.

07. 11^th March 2009 – Journalism professor abducted

Prof. Dammika Ganganath Dissanayake, former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) chairman and a senior lecturer at the Sri Jayawardenapura University was abducted on 11^th March and released the following morning. He told media that two persons had arrived at his house demanding to know whether he was writing a book against the government. The persons who had identified themselves as from the police had then searched the house. He was later asked accompany them for questioning and was taken in a white van.

08. 12^th March 2009 – State media attacks unnamed journalists as traitors

State controlled Sinhala language daily DINAMINA accused unnamed journalist working in a state controlled media and number of others of betraying the country by contributing to a website published from Britain. The story said that they are being paid by millions by INGOs. DINAMINA carried number of such articles blaming un named and named journalists as pro terrorists and unpatriotic. In the wake of March secession of UNHRC other nationalist papers too published defamatory articles on journalists who participated at the UNHRC secession and campaigned for human and democratic rights.

09. 15^th March 2009 – Defence secretary name editor as a traitor

In an interview with Australia’s SBS TV Defence secretary Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksha named chief editor of Sudroli news paper Mr. N. Vithyatharan as a traitor. Police investigation is not yet over and No judicial inquiry has held in to his arrest yet. Mr. Vithyatharans In a threatening voice he told the SBS correspondent that if he try to cover up this case there will be blood in his hands.

10. 18 ^th March 2009 – Police says the editor was abducted

Colombo Crime Division (CCD) told the court that they found Mr. Vithyatharan abandoned by his abductors when they looking for him to be questioned on some telephone calls he had made on the night of LTTE air attack on Colombo. According to the CCD they were not aware of who he was when they found him. Sinhala language daily DIVAINA justifying the way he was arrested wrote in its 6^th March editorial that there is no apparent relation between the abduction and arrest. The Sinhala nationalist newspaper said that the abduction must have been done by some other group for some other purpose. Earlier the government vehemently denied that he was abducted.

11. 20^th March 2009 – Nationalist media attack IFJ

Influential Defence correspondent of weekly edition of the Sinhala language DIVAINA newspaper accused IFJ being part of the international plot to discredit Sri Lanka. Questioning the IFJ right to request a review of anti terrorist laws in Sri Lanka (IFJ statement on Sri Lanka at UNHRC: “We look to the UN Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Opinion and Expression and on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism to act on our joint appeal in Sri Lanka”) the newspaper said that IFJ request is to help the Tigers( the LTTE).

12. 21^st March 2009 – Police silent on the assault on the editor

RIVIRA news paper reported that investigation on the assault in its chief editor Mr. Upali Thennakoon is not produced any results so far. All efforts of the news paper to find out the progress of the investigation has run into a blank wall. Senior Superintended of police Mr. Anura Senananyaka who is in charge of the investigation has refused to talk t the news paper and police spokesperson SP Mr. Ranjith Gunsekara told the newspaper that SSP Anura Senanayaka has not reported any thing on this investigation. Chief editor Mr. Tennakoon who left the country after the assault has not come back yet.

13. 21^st March 2009 – Gov. establish a journalists organization

Government minister Dalas Alhapperuma and several other ministers participated in the opening ceremony of Sri Lanka Freedom Journalists Association. The meeting was held at the government information and media ministry. Minister Alahapperuma, a former journalist became the adviser of the SLFJA .

14. 22^nd March 2009 – Bishops concerned on anti conversion bill

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka (CBCSL) proclaimed a national day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer for next April 3 against the anti-conversion bill. In conjunction with the Friday of Passion Week, ahead of Easter, the bishops intend to call attention back to the possible passage of the anti-conversion bill, proposed by the Buddhist monks in the country and awaiting vote in parliament. The bishops call for “divine intervention” to bring “harmony through reconciliation” among all citizens, and spare “the beloved country of another conflict among adherents of different faiths and religions,” caused by the possible approval of the “anti-conversion bill.”

15. 23d March 2009 – MP questioned over abduction of journalism professor

UNP Kurunegala district MP Dayasiri Jayasekara was summoned to the Colombo Crime
Division to record a statement in connection with the abduction of Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake. According to reports, Mr. Jayasekara had sent a text message to the mobile phone of Prof. Dissanayake moments before his kidnapping. No progress has been made in the investigation of abduction of Prof. Disanayaka. He has now left the country.

16. 25^t March 2009 – Editor Sudaroli filed a FR case

The editor of ‘Sudar Oli’ and ‘Uthayan’ newspapers N. Vithyatharan now in detention filed a fundamental rights violation petition in the Supreme Court yesterday alleging illegal arrest on February 26 by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division and degrading treatment by the Defence Secretary. The petition said that phone calls made by him to his sister and brother-in-law, Eswarapatham Saravanaparan, who were in France on that day, had led to the unreasonable suspicion that he was involved in the LTTE air attack on Colombo. The petition said that the Defence Secretary on February 26, 2009 had referred to him as a ‘terrorist’, which was degrading.

17. 25^th March 2009 – State media attacks FMM secretary

An article attacking Sunil Jayasekera, the Secretary of the Free Media Movement was published in the state run Dinamina on the 25^th of March 09 (Page 3). Jayasekera was attacked for statements he made at a media conference held by the Platform for Freedom on the 19^th of March. Speaking to the media that day Jayasekera stated ‘this is the most oppressive time for journalists in Sri Lanka’. DINAMINA story said “This news was publicized in Germany, Sweden, Canada and Norway and also on Tamil net. Military intelligence says that this person received a large sum of money from a NGO for making this statement”

18. 26^th March 2009 – Editor’s letter to authorities censored by Media

No newspaper in Sri Lanka carried the letter written by Sonali Samarasinghe Wickremetunge and addressed to the Inspector General of Police regarding the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wikramasinghe in full. Later it was published by www.groundviews.com and picked up by few more web sites. The Editor in Chief of the Sunday Leader and one of Sri Lanka’s best known journalists, Lasantha Wickremetunge was murdered on 8th January 2009 en route to work, in broad daylight and on a busy road. The murderers, whoever they are, have yet to be captured.

19. 27^th March 2009 – Another HR defender arrested

Mr. Santha Fernando (63) Executive Secretary Commission for Justice and Peace –National Christian Conference ( former Secretary APAY, member of IDC , APRRN and NCC Sri Lanka National Board member National YMCA) was taken in to Custody at Colombo International Air Port on 27th March 2009. He was handed over by Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of Sri Lanka. He was arrested after airport security found some documents related to conflict in Sri Lanka in his hand luggage. According to unconfirmed reports documents he had in his possession were on humanitarian crisis in Vanni, downloaded form the internet.

20. 31^st March 2009 – Vikalapa CJ site labeled as terrorists

In an article published in a nationalist website Vikalpa Citizen Journalist web site was branded as a white tigers. Vikalpa is an initiative by the Centre for Policy Alternatives. The website close to Buddhist monks party said that ” The INGO agents who are indirectly funded by LTTE sympathizers and so called ‘Vikalpa’ media agents are more than happy create this environment. In short, they (White collar terrorists) shamelessly use their brain and pen to fulfill this pre conditions for LTTE to carryout their brutal attacks in the South.”

21. 01^st April 2009 – Minister labeled Panos as pro terrorist

The government will investigate a group of journalists who had been on a PANOS South Asia project as transpired at the recent sittings of the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating INGOs and NGOs, Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambuwella said.

Addressing the weekly briefing at the Media Centre for National Security, he said that the government had enough information about their support to the LTTE. The project promoted separatism in the country, he said adding that the government was fully aware of the details and the persons involved. Panos denied the allegation as baseless.

22. 01^st April 2009 – Editor attacked with knifes and swards

Editor of the weekend news paper Vaara Ureikal , Mr. M.I. Rahmahetulla was attacked by gang armed with guns, long knifes and swards seriously injuring him around 10.45 pm on1^st April 2009. Vaara Uerikal is published in Katthankudi, Batticaloa.. The news paper office is situated at ALS road, New Katthankudi in Batticloa district. Mr. Rahmahetulla was working in his office on tomorrow’s newspaper when the attack took place. 5 armed men came in a van and left in the same vehicle after the attacking Mr. Rahmahetulla and damaging the office.. He received serious cut injuries on his face, hands and chest according to his journalist’s colleagues.

MEDIAFREEDOMINSRILANKA

Freedom of Expression news from Sri Lanka

Monthly report No 02; period covered February 2009

List of Incidents

1. 01^st Feb 2009 – Grenade attack on Sun TV transmission station

2. 01^st Feb 2009 – Defense secretary threaten international media

3. 01^st Feb 2009 – Human rights lawyer’s office burned

4. 02^ndFeb 2009 – Freedom Platform launched

5. 02^ndFeb 2009 – Defense Secretary asks who is Lasnatha?

6. 02^ndFeb 2009 – hate campaign against photo-journalist

7. 02^ndFeb 2009 – State media attacks another media activist

8. 04^th Feb 2009 – Jaffna media reprimanded

9. 05^th Feb 2009 – Para military group threatened Jaffna Media

10. 05^th Feb 2009 – Tigers infiltrating media – SL Gov.

11. 05^th Feb 2009 – The S.C. grants leave to proceed on FOE case

12. 05^th Feb 2009 – “Foreign hand’ behind attacks on media – JHU

13. 07^th Feb 2009 – Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Bill

14. 06^th Feb 2009 – MOD warns media re Official Secrets Act

15. 07^th Feb 2009 – SLRC starts Wayamba Handa for PC elections

16. 09^th Feb 2009 – Defense secretary warns INGO on informing world

17. 10^th Feb 2009 – BBC suspends its broadcasts via SLBC

18. 11^th Feb 2009 – State media links SAFMA meeting to LTTE

19. 11^th Feb 2009 – AG withdraws charges against minister Mervyn

20. 11^th Feb 2009 – Court upheld journalists’ rights

21. 11^th Feb 2009 – ICRC leaves Vanni, information cut off

22. 11^th Feb 2009 – Media not allowed to cover hospitalized civilians

23. 12^th Feb 2009 – ICRC respond to official & media accusations

24. 12^th Feb 2009 – Call to ban TNA by JNP

25. 12^th Feb 2009 – SLBC is state voice, says its head

26. 13^th Feb 2009 – Tinakkural editor questioned by CID

27. 13^th Feb 2009 – Journalist killed in Vanni safe Zone

28. 13^th Feb 2009 – Gov. conceals LTTE radio permit

29. 13^th Feb 2009 – HR minister criticise 2 media reports

30. 14^th Feb 2009 – Corruption watch lawyer threatened

31. 14^th Feb 2009 – no mobile phone SIM without vital info

32. 14^th Feb 2009 – Morning leader editor leaves the country

33. 16^th Feb 2009 – Sudaroli editor questioned by CCD

34. 16^th Feb 2009 – Case against newspaper owner terminated

35. 17^th Feb 2009 – SUN TV transmission station raided/stopped

36. 17^th Feb 2009 – Mukkal TV banned in Jaffna

37. 17^th Feb 2009 – Assaulted editor leaves for USA

38. 18^th Feb 2009 – Police visit FMETU general Secretary’s nabugher

39. 18^th Feb 2009 – LTTE hits out at English media

40. 18^th Feb 2009 – Inter-News staff member deported

41. 18^th Feb 2009 – Leave to proceed for FR case against SLRC

42. 21^st Feb 2009 – Sate media accuses Saama Vimarshee magazine

43. 21^st Feb 2009 – Armed men stormed Max TV office

44. 22^nd Feb 2009 – Lankaenews editor questioned by CID

45. 24^th Feb 2009 – Media owner to contest election

46. 24^th Feb 2009 – TNA head questioned over press conference

47. 25^th Feb 2009 – Danish media consultant refused entry into Kaarainakar

48. 25^th Feb 2009 – TID questioned Sunanda Deshapriya

49. 25^th Feb 2009 – Morning leader closed down

50. 26^th Feb 2009 – State media misused for election – NEM IHR

51. 26^th Feb 2009 – Editor abducted, found in CCD

52. 27^th Feb 2009 – Parliament defers debate on anti-conversion bill

Other news:

1. 02^nd Feb 2009 – Platform for freedom launched
2. 08^th Feb 2009 – Vigil for Lasantha
3. 12^th Feb 2009 – CPJ on Sri Lanka media situation
4. 13^th Feb 2009 – IFJ Asia –Pacific organizations’ joint statement
5. 17^th Feb 2009 – IPI on Sri Lanka media suppression

6. 24^th Feb 2009 – CPJ Robert Dietz’s testimony on Sri Lanka

1. 27^th Feb 2009 – IFJ, RSF. 5 media, SLPI, statements on Vidyathartan abduction
2. 27^th Feb 2009 Tamil Nadu journalists protest

In short:

1. 01^st Feb 2009 – Grenade attack on Sun TV transmission station

On 31^st January hand grenade was thrown at the SUN TV office in Vavuniya by an unidentified person. The rear section of the office was damaged due to the attack .The transmission station was located at the premises of TNA MP Selvam Adaikalanathan’s office. The station had been run by TELO for some years and collected fee from people for receiving the transmission. Sun TV is a popular Tamil language TV channel is based in South India. Lately it has been coving Tamil Nadu agitations over war in Sri Lanka widely.

2. 01^st Feb 2009 – Defense secretary threaten international media

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa warned ambassadors, news agencies and INGOs acting irresponsibly of “dire consequences if they attempt to give the LTTE terrorists a second breath of life. They will be chased away (if they try) to give a second wind to the LTTE terrorists at a time the security forces, at heavy cost, are dealing them the final death blow,” he said. He said that the German and Swiss ambassadors were behaving irresponsibly. He named, CNN, Al-Jazeera and specially the BBC as media trying to sensationalize civilian hardships by telecasting video clips from LTTE websites.

3. 01^st Feb 2009 – Human rights lawyer’s office burned

The office of Amitha Ariyaratne, Attorney-at-Law, situated in front of his residence at No. 53, Temple Road, Horapay was burned down at around 9pm by an unknown arsonist. On the 27th January 2009, Mr. Ariyaratne was threatened inside the Negombo Police Station by an officer who threatened him with death three times. Earlier, on the 26th September, 2008 Mr. Ariyaratne also received death threats by an anonymous caller asking him to desist in providing legal representation at the inquest relating to Sugath Nishanta Fernando. This inquest was regarding the assassination of Mr. Fernando which took place on the 20th of the same month.

4. 02^nd Feb 2009 – Defense Secretary asks who is Lasnatha?

In an interview with Defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksha BBC correspondent asked a question about the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wikramatunage, he said ” why ask about Lasantha, Who is he? He is a tabloid editor; there are so many murders around world? Why concerned about one man? I am not concerned about him, there are so many people killed by LTTE, ask about them. I have only two groups, either you are a terrorist or you are fighting terrorists, Yes, dissent, criticism in times of war is treason” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7868080.stm

5. 02^nd Feb 2009 – Hate campaign against photo-journalist

Web site of the militant Sinhala Nationalist group National Movement Against Terrorism (NMAT) named senior Sri Lankan photojournalist Gamunu Amarasinghe as “a suspected pro-LTTE Sinhala photo-journalist  working for the Associated Press,..” it further added that “So-called journalists like him are behind the AP Colombo bureau circulating last week a biased reports on Sri Lanka… This distorted reports was sent to leading top international publications like Network Times, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune etc.” www.sinhalanet.org

6. 02^nd Feb 2009 – State media attacks another media activist

State controlled Sinhala language weekly Dinamina attacked senior female journalist and long time FMM activist Seetha Ranjanee for speaking on the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wikremathinge. Editorial column “Pasu Wiparama” called on police to record a statement from journalist Seetha Ranjanee on her interview. The column indirectly threatened Seetha Ranjanee not to criticise police regarding the investigation of Lasantha killing.

7. 04^th Feb 2009 – Jaffna media reprimanded

An anonymous organization, calling itself, ’Theasa Makkal Ezhuchchip Pearavai’ (Nation’s People’s Form of Uprisal’), called on the dailies of Jaffna peninsula to uphold journalistic moral instead of submitting themselves to be influenced by the culture of arms, in a fax message sent to the media in Jaffna Wednesday. The message pointed out that the dailies in Jaffna peninsula had failed to give due place and prominence to the recent march held in Jaffna against the LTTE.

8. 05^th Feb 2009 – Para military group threatened Jaffna Media

Paramilitary men of a Tamil political party threatened the editorial staff of the two Tamil dailies published in Jaffna for not giving prominence for the news related to their party activities or the reports issued by their party leader, according to the complaint made by the editorial staff to the 5 media collective in Colombo. The said Tamil political party paramilitary men issued the threats to the editorial staff of the two Tamil dailies in person at the office of the dailies. (TN)

9. 05^th Feb 2009 – Tigers infiltrating media – SL Gov.

A day after an angry mob stoned the offices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Colombo, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said the Tigers were infiltrating relief agencies and news organisations. “There is a well-orchestrated campaign to discredit the government and the security forces and bring pressure on it to declare a ceasefire by LTTE agents who have infiltrated international organisations and media institutions,” Rajapakse told the state-run Daily News.

10. 05^th Feb 2009 – S.C. grants leave to proceed on FOE case

The Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the petition relating to the alleged infringement of fundamental rights of two JVP activists who had been arrested by police for pasting posters against the attacks on the media. Petitioners are asking for an order from the court directing the IGP to immediately formulate directions, in consultation with the Attorney General instructing all officers in Charge of Stations not to interfere with rights of citizens engaging in lawful methods of publicizing their opinion and / or exercising their freedom of expression.

11. 05^th Feb 2009 – “Foreign hand’ behind attacks on media – JHU

Speaking at a public meeting Environment Authority Chairman and legal adviser to Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)Udaya Gammanpila said: “a pattern is emerging since the fall of Killinochchi; we can see the extent to which these local and international anti-government elements go to thwart the government’s objectives, Within 48 hours of the armed forces entering Kilinochichi and while the country was rejoicing, the MTV transmission complex was set on fire; the editor of the ‘Sunday Leader’ Lasanta Wickrametunga was killed and a couple of days later editor of the ‘Rivira’ Upali Tennekoon was assaulted. There is an organized pattern to these incidents and the intention is to put the government in a difficult position at this crucial moment”

12. 07^th Feb 2009 – Prohibition of Forcible Conversion Bill

The Prohibition of Forcible Conversion Bill was referred to a Standing Committee of Parliament and a report was submitted to the House on January 6. However, there was disagreement over the Bill’s contents, and it was pointed out that the draft did not define what constituted a religion. This legislation seeks to prohibit the conversion of persons from one religion to another with the use of force or persuasion or by fraudulent means. If passed, the Bill will make it a criminal offence to aid and abet such forcible religious conversion of individuals. Punishment for those found guilty of such forcible conversion is between five to seven years imprisonment and fines ranging from Rs 150,000 to 500,000. The higher prison terms and fines are for those who convert person classified as samurdhi beneficiaries, prison, rehabilitation and detention centre inmates, physically and mentally handicapped persons, members of the armed forces, the police, students, the inmates of refugee camps and minors.

13. 06^th Feb 2009 – MOD warns media re Official Secrets Act

The Defence Ministry warned that Sri Lanka has an “Official Secrets Act’ which requires all public servants to maintain strict reticence over sensitive information that may be used by adverse elements to damage national interests. The Ministry said that it has been observed since recent past that some figures and impotent leaders in political spheres and certain unscrupulous journalists have been making an absurd cry over not providing military casualty figures to them. “Unlike the bogus rights activists who cannot find alternative living than to survive on continued sufferings of the others, it is deemed that the politicians should not try to damage the morale and the discipline of troops of their own country,” the Defence Ministry said.

14. 07^th Feb 2009 – SLRC starts Wayamba Handa for PC elections

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation ( SLBC) inaugurated the new Wayamba ( NWP) Service with the broadcasting of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s address to the people in Kurunegala. SLBC is facing serious financial difficulties and closing down some provincial stations to as a cost cutting measures. But SLBC launched a new NWP provincial service during the NWP election. The frequency of the service is FM 96.6. This Service, according to news paper reports a brainchild of Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, is expected to disseminate news and information pertaining to the development of agriculture, fisheries and industrial sector. Minister Yapa comes from the NWP itself.

15. 09^th Feb 2009 – Defense secretary warns INGOs

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today told UN agencies in Colombo that some of the international agencies ‘should be mindful of the responsibility cast on them in disseminating information to the world at large. Mr. Rajapaksa made this remark when he met the Heads of UN Agencies based in Colombo to discuss issues of mutual interest regarding the protection of civilians in the conflict zone. He said that “inaccurate accounts of the situation should be avoided at all costs” (DM)

16. 10^th Feb 2009 – BBC suspended its broadcasts via SLBC

BBC World Service suspended its FM programming to the Sri Lankan national broadcaster SLBC from Tuesday, February 10 due to deliberate interference of its broadcasts by the Sri Lankan network. BBC programmes and individual news reports in the English, Sinhala and Tamil languages had been blocked by SLBC and have not been broadcast to listeners in Sri Lanka. The BBC had noted 17 instances of interference to BBC Tamil and eight similar instances to BBC Sinhala broadcasts between November 27 and early January. Sometimes whole current affairs segments of BBC programming were not broadcast on SLBC.

17. 11^th Feb 2009 – State media links SAFMA AGM to LTTE

State controlled Dinamina in a front page malicious news story blamed South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) for trying to provide propaganda support to LTTE. The news story said that SAFMA in collaboration with YATV based in Colombo has send a group of journalists to Dacca to campaign against the government humanitarian (military) campaign in order save Tigers. SAFMA held its 2009 annual regional conference in Dacca on 10^{th &} 11^th Feb. 2009. 13 journalists from Sri Lanka participated in the conference. It ended adopting eleven point declarations making a call to the governments of the region to strengthen democratic values, open and plural societies, and liberal culture and safeguard the rights of women, minorities and the dispossessed.

18. 11^th Feb 2009 – AG withdraws charges against minister Mervyn

The Attorney General’s Department y informed Colombo High Court that it had decided to withdraw the indictment against Minister Mervyn Silva on alleged assault on a Sirasa cameraman and damaging a camera on August 6, 2008. It was alleged that Minister Mervyn Silva had assaulted a journalist and damaged two video cameras belonging to the MTV Channel. The case was filed based on an order issued by the Supreme Court on December 17, 2008 in connection with the fundamental right petitions filed by the victim journalist and MTV media network. The Supreme Court ordered Mervyn Silva to pay compensation to the petitioners, but did not make any order discharging the criminal responsibility in relation to the alleged offence.

19. 11^th Feb 2009 – Court upheld journalists’ rights

Anuradhapura Magistrate and additional District Judge Ruchira Weliwatta told  court that any obstructions to the right of expression and media freedom is a matter of serious concern and the alleged assault on a journalist demands special attention of  court. The Magistrate who rejected the bail application of the suspect who allegedly assaulted Anuradhapura Daily Mirror correspondent Athula Bandara was remanded him till February.16. Police told court that the journalist who visited the hospital for media coverage was assaulted by the suspect and sustained injuries in the incident and was admitted to Mihintale hospital. (DM)

20. 11^th Feb 2009 – ICRC leaves Vanni, information cut off

The International Committee of the Red Cross left the LTTE controlled areas in Vanni on the request of SL government. The ICRC has been the only international organization functioning in the Vanni for the past four months after the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) ordered all of the United Nations Agencies (UN) and international Non-Governmental Organizations (iNGOs) out of the Vanni on 15 September 2008. The ICRC has reported to the international community via press releases, incidents of bombing and shelling of hospitals, churches, temples and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps which killed hundreds of civilians. ICRC leaving Vanni cut off major information channel on the unfolding civilian tragedy in the battle zone.

21. 11^th Feb 2009 – Media not allowed to cover civilians injured

The provincial governor of Eastern province bared all journalists entering Trincomalee government hospital where injured civilians of northern battle grounds were being treated. Journalists were not allowed to enter the hospital even for medical treatments. In another development some photo journalists were asked to leave the Colombo children’s hospital when they tried to talk to parents of injured children of Vanni. 15 injured children form Vanni are being treated at Colombo Children’s hospital.

22. 12^th Feb 2009 – ICRC responds to official & media accusations

The ICRC, which has been accused by the government and media of attempting to create the wrong image over the conflict in Sri Lanka by ordering huge number of body bags, put the record straight in a statement released to the media. The ICRC said it placed a routine order for 2000 body bags in January this year of which 1000 were handed over to the Security Forces Headquarters in Vavuniya following their verbal request. A further 500 body bags were ordered that same month to replenish ICRC stocks. Few days earlier Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a press conference that ICRC had ordered unnecessary number of body bags in order to mislead the world. MP Wimal Weerawansa told press that ICRC should be expelled. Soon after ICRC office located in high security area in Colombo was stoned. No one has been arrested for this unruly behavior so far.

23. 12^th Feb 2009 – Call to ban TNA by JNP

Leader of the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna MP Wimal Weerawansa called on the government to ban Tamil national Alliance (TNA) for propagating falsehoods on Sri Lanka around the world. He was speaking at a party function held at Battamulla on 12^th March. (Lakbima, 13^th March page 6)

24. 12^th Feb 2009 – SLBC is state voice, says its head

Chairman of the SLBC Mr. Hudson Samarasinghe, in an interview with Asian Tribune web site, stated that the state owned radio is the voice and noise – of Sri Lanka a sovereign and independent state. He made it clear SLBC is not a public services media institution but a government voice. Media organizations in Sri Lanka have been campaigning for a long time to transform state controlled TV and Radio into truly public services media.

25. 13^th Feb 2009 – Tinakkural editor questioned by CID

Thinakkural editor T.Thanabalasingham was questioned for 5 hours by Criminal Investigation Department 13^th Friday. Thinakkural is a Tamil language daily published form Colombo. He was questioned regarding a news story published on 12^th in his news paper. The story was based on a speech made by TNA Member of Parliament for Vanni district Selvam Addaikkalanathan on sufferings of civilians in Vanni .

26. 13^th Feb 2009 – Journalist killed in Vanni safe Zone

Journalist Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy died from injuries reportedly sustained in an artillery attack by the Sri Lankan Army on February 12. Sathiyamoorthy, a Tamil journalist of long-standing, contributed news reports and analyses, as well as short stories and poems, to various Tamil newspapers and journals. He lived in Jaffna city in Sri Lanka’s north. Sathiyamoorthy was a sympathiser of the cause of a Tamil Eelam – or an independent Tamil homeland in Sri Lanka’s north and east. He also was a frequent contributor to media controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the principal armed group waging war against the Sri Lankan Government since 1983.

27. 13^th Feb 2009 – Gov. conceals LTTE radio permit

The Sri Lanka Government announced that they had taken a unanimous decision to cancel the permit given to the LTTE to run their radio channel with immediate effect. The LTTE was given permission to have their own radio channel during years 2002 and 2004  while the peace negotiations were in motion. This was announced the Media Minister Anura Priysdharshana Yapa at the cabinet media briefing.

28. 13^th Feb 2009 – HR minister criticize 2 media reports

Sri Lankan Human Rights Minister Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe named and criticized two media reports saying they are highly distorted. Both articles he referred to were about the government’s alleged plan to keep IDPs for 2- 3 years in military type camps. Minister called two newspaper articles, one appeared on the Times in London in the UK and the other on the Daily Mirror in Sri Lanka were extremely subjective and written with deliberate intention to tarnish the good image of the country. The media briefing was held at Presidential Secretariat last evening for the foreign media personnel.

29. 14^th Feb 2009 – Corruption watch lawyer threatened

Lawyer Ravi Jayawardana, who played a leading role in setting up Corruption Watch was threatened with death by a anonymous caller. Although the phone number was provided to the police, Welikada Police informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate Kumari Abeyratne that they could not identify with certainty the anonymous caller who gave calls to Ravi Jayewardene threatening to take his life with the use of a bomb or by some other means. Ravi Jayewardene, a Counsel who appeared for the Plaintiffs in the Hedging case in the Supreme Court was threatened by the anonymous caller to keep away from the case. Mr. Ravi Jayawardana has been a strong voice against corruption in recent months.

30. 14^th Feb 2009 – Morning leader editor leaves the country

Chief editor of the Morning Leader news paper and wife of slain editor Lasantha Wikrematunge, Sonali Samarasinghe left the country for security reasons. She gave a radio interview to Canadian Broadcasting Cooperation from an undisclosed location. In her interview she said that she will dedicate her life to bring justice to Lasantha and to defend freedom of expression in Sri Lanka. http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2009/200902/20090212.html

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31. 14^th Feb 2009 – no mobile phone SIM without vital info

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday directed that new conditions be regulated by phone operators in issuing Subscriber Identity Modules (SIM) and Wireless Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) phones. Accordingly an operator shall not issue a SIM or CDMA phone to any person, without first obtaining and maintaining a record of the following information, pertaining to the person to whom such SIM or CDMA phone is being issued: (i) Full Name; (ii) Current residential address, whether Permanent / Temporary with proof (utility bills and any other similar document may be accepted as sufficient proof); (iii) Date of Birth; (iv) a recent photograph; (v) proof of identity, such as National Identity Card/Passport/Driving License or a Certificate of Birth; and (vi) name or names and the National Identity Card Number or Numbers of person or persons who will, if ever, be sharing the use of the SIM or CDMA phone being issued

32. 16^th Feb 2009 – Sudaroli editor questioned by CCD

N. Vidhyatharan, chief editor of the Tamil language daily Sudaroli was questioned by Colombo Crime Division (CCD) officers regarding  news stories published in the news paper on the civilian casualties in Vanni war zone. CID officers came to the newspaper office on 16^th Feb 2009 and questioned him for nearly 8 hours from 8.30am to 4.00pm. Sudaroli is published by Uthayan news paper group, which publish Tamil language daily Uthayan in Jaffna. According to Mr. Vidyatharan nine of their staff has been killed during the last 3 years. Mr. Vidyatharan him self has received numerous death threats in recent past.

33. 16^th Feb 2009 – Case against newspaper owner terminated

The Attorney General’s Department told court that it would not be pressing on criminal proceedings against the Chairman of CBE Group of Companies Tiran Alles and Dushyantha Basnayake. Deputy Solicitor General Dappulla De Livera yesterday told the Supreme Court that this decision would apply to all Magistrate’s Court cases pending against the said persons. De Livera said steps would be taken to release all security deposits of Tiran Alles.  Having heard the submission, the Bench comprising Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, PC, Justices Shiranee Tilakawardane and K. Sripavan terminated the proceedings. Tiran Alles was the owner of Mawbima news paper and Dushyantha Basnayaka was its financial manager. Mawbima, ( a popular weekly which followed an independent line,) had to close down as harassments to its owners were unending.

34. 17^th Feb 2009 – SUN TV transmission station raided/stopped

Police arrested four local employees of the Sun TV retransmission station in Vavuniya run by locals. Police raided its office and took into custody equipment and CDs belonging to the company which were used to broadcast programmes via satellite. The arrested employees along with the equipment were later handed over to the Vavuniya police to commence further investigations. According to Police Spokesperson they were also arrested for broadcasting false reports against the government. Meanwhile SUN TV Network India said it does not have staff in Sri Lanka nor does it have an office and denied any links with the Vavuniya incident. In Colombo SUN TV news channel was blocked several times in January when anti Sri Lanka government agitations taking place in Tamil Nadu. Sun TV is mainly an entertainment channel which broadcast a news bulletins also.

35. 17^th Feb 2009 – Mukkal TV banned in Jaffna

RSF reported that local retransmission of Makkal TV, a station based in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in Jaffna has been blocked. . Jaffna residents had told Reporters Without Borders that the local retransmission of this popular TV station has been banned since 18 February 2009. Army officers in the Jaffna peninsula reportedly ordered local TV cable operators to stop offering Makkal TV’s programming. The station’s coverage of the situation in Vanni and its political analyses are thought to have irritated the military. However, the Sri Lankan government insisted that it has not placed any restriction on Makkal TV (http://www.makkal.tv ), contrary to that station’s claims and the message posted on its website, reported RSF.

36. 17^th Feb 2009 – Assaulted editor leaves for USA

Rivira editor Upali Tennakoon left for USA for few weeks with his wife according to news paper reporters. He was assaulted by unidentified gang on 22^nd January. the gang stopped his car and broke the windscreens and assauled him with sharp objects. According to him “Neither of the (police) places I called had taken any effective measures to arrest my attackers. They had not even informed the Veleveriya Police about the incident. Nor had they taken any steps to catch the two fleeing motorcyclists.” Police investigation has not been able to make any breakthrough yet.

37. 18^th Feb 2009 – Police visit FMETU Secretary’s neighbors

Officers of Special Intelligence Service (SIS) visited the neighborhood of Darmasiri Lankapeli, general secretary of the Federation of Media Employers Trade Unions and requested them to inform SIS of any unknown persons visiting the neighborhood. The reason given by the officers was that Mr. Lankapeli is a well known media personal facing threats and SIS wants to know any unknown persons visiting the area. The officer visited the neighborhood has named Poddala Jayantha also as Journalist in danger.

38. 18^th Feb 2009 – LTTE hits out at English media

The LTTE hit out at the local English media saying it has largely ignored the killing of innocent Tamil civilians in Government declared “safe zones” in the Wanni. A statement said that the level of daily civilian massacres had reached a crescendo and is continuing. The LTTE statement charged that while these daily massacres have been reported in the Tamil owned media and the Tamil broadcast of the BBC, the mainstream English media in Sri Lanka has largely ignored it. “Instead, these mainstream media, aided by statements from the UN, are packed with accusations that the LTTE is, using civilians as human shields, shooting fleeing civilians, and recruiting underage children,” the LTTE said.

39. 18^th Feb 2009 – Inter-News staff member deported

Jesse Hardman, journalist and a staff member if Inter -news Sri Lanka was deported by SL government citing an article he contributed to a website in mid 2008. He has been a radio journalist for along time and had worked in number of media institutions before coming to Sri Lanka. The article in question which is said to be critical towards the SL government has been taken off the web. A Sinhala nationalist news paper reported that he was deported because of his anti Sri Lanka propaganda.

40. 18^th Feb 2009 – SC grants to leave to proceed FR case

The Supreme Court y on (18^th) granted leave to proceed with the fundamental rights petitions filed against the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) challenging the alleged decision to abruptly stop or censor the broadcasting of a programme titled “Ira Andura Pata” (Challenge the Darkness). The said programme was to discuss the regulations pertaining to Private Television Broadcasting Stations that had come into force in the year 2007. One of the panelists of the said programme U.N.S.P. Kurukulasuriya (former Convener of Free Media Movement) is one of the petitioners. Court granted leave on the alleged infringement of his right to equality and equal protection of the law and on the freedom of speech and expression. Another Petitioner J. K. W. Jayasekera of the Free Media Movement who is also a freelance journalist was granted leave to proceed for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to freedom of thought and conscience and the right to equality and equal protection of the law.

41. 20^th Feb 2009 – State media accuses peace magazine

State controlled Sinhala daily Dinamina carried news item stating that Security divisons had found a large number of magazines of Saama Vimarshi published by Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) at a printing press in the Vanni and that they suspect that this magazine has been printed up to the present date at a LTTE printing press. The news item also makes reference to “powerful links” between two media associations with the LTTE. The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation chairman, Hudson Samarasinghe, made specific references to these charges made by “Dinamina” on the show “Rata Yana Atha” on City FM. The news story named Lional Guruge as the editor of the magazine while naming P. Saravanamuttu, Sunanda Deshapriya and Sunila Abeysekara as regular contributors. CPA denied the accusations leveled against them.

42. 21^st Feb 2009 – Armed men stormed Max TV office

A group of armed men, of which some were inebriated stormed the Max TV office in Nugegoda and searched the premises in the night. The Max TV Managing Director informed the police immediately. Later Mihihana Police station transferred 17 police men who stormed the station saying it was just an unruly behaviour by group of officers.

43. 22^nd Feb 2009 – Lankaenews editor questioned by CID

Chief Editor of ‘Lanka-e-News’ Mr. Sandaruwan Senadheera had been questioned for 8 hours by the Criminal Investigation Division on 19^th regarding a news item published on 18. 02. 2008 in ‘Lanka-e-News’. This complains was made by Defence Secretary. This was the 2^nd time CID questioned Mr. Senadheera regarding this news item. In addition to this CID questioned Mr. Senadheera on another news item published in March 2008 about Mr. Palitha Kohona, Secretary to Foreign Affairs Ministry. Meanwhile CID officers rushed to ‘Lanka-e-News’ office in Rajagiriya and took away several documents related to these news articles.

44. 24^th Feb 2009 – Media owner to contest election

Mr. Tilanga Sumathipala, owner of the Sumathi publishers which publish number of news papers including two Sinhala and English language newspapers submitted his nomination papers to contest western provincial council election under the ruling UPFA. In an interview given to media he said ” I always believe in maintaining independence of the media institutions that are under me. I am a businessman and I know that the moment I become partisan the sales will drop.”

45. 24^th Feb 2009 – TNA head questioned over press conference

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) questioned Mr. R. Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on 24th February over a speech he made at a Media conference held by TNA. In a letter addressed to the president he said: ” this so-called investigation ….constitutes an unwarranted interference in my freedom of thought.

I must also mention that certain programmes on Government Television Channels have made slanderous references to me both while commenting on the Media conference and the interview the CID had with me. There is clearly a malicious effort to create an environment hostile to me, the objective of which is to suppress the truth.”

46. 25^th Feb 2009 – Danish media consultant refused entry into Kaarainakar

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) did not permit Dr. Henrik Grunnet, the media consultant of the Media Research and Training Centre (MRTC) affiliated to Jaffna University to attend an introductory event of a media course that was to be inaugurated Wednesday at Kaarainakar R. Thiyagarajah Maththiya Viththiyaalayam in his official capacity and as a guest of honour. Vice-chancellor emeritus of Jaffna University and the Director of MRTC, Prof. Pon. Balasuntharampillai, the chief guest of the event, had accompanied Dr. Henrik Grunnet to Ponnaalai SLN at the entrance to Kaarainakar where Grunnet was sent back by the SLN. (TN 25^th Feb)

47. 25^th Feb 2009 – Morning leader closed down

Mid week news paper of Sunday Leader group The Morning Leader was closed down form 25^th Feb.2009. in its editorial titled ” We will be back” it said that ” The Morning Leader suspends its publication with this edition for a brief period because of the re-organisation that is taking place following the killing of Director – Editorial, Leader Publications, Lasantha Wickrematunge. We wish to assure our readers that we will renew publication of The Morning Leader as a fully-fledged daily newspaper which was the original intention when we commenced the publication of this mid-week edition.”

48. 25^th Feb 2009 – TID questioned Sunanda Deshapriya

Free Media Movement activist Sunanda Deshapriya was summoned to TID and questioned for 5 hours by on 25^th. He had rejected a statement made by one Prakash arrested by Police at the Katunayake International Airport last week. Prakash, a one-time Batticaloa based journalist, had arrived at the Airport to catch a flight to Singapore when he was arrested on suspicion. He had said that he was a journalist and had shown a media accreditation card which says he is working for International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). He had claimed that he was a good friend of Sunanda Deshapriya and from FMM. However the latter when questioned by the Police denied any knowledge of the suspect arrested. Subsequent investigations had revealed that the IFJ identity card produced by the suspect was a forgery.

49. 26^th Feb 2009 – State media misused for election – NEM IHR

The news bulletins of state electronic media during the provincial council elections of NWP and CP were filled with news of the propaganda campaigns of UPFA and malicious mudslinging campaigns against opposition political parties and independence groups. NEM IHR had monitored news telecasts of two state TV stations ( SLRC & ITN) over three weeks leading up to the election on 14^th Feb. The following findings show the unfair time allocation for political parties by them. United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) 100% &100%; United national Party (UNP) 0% &0%; People’s Liberation Front (JVP) 0% & 0%; News against opposition parties 21.02% & 6.9%.

50. 26^th Feb 2009 – Editor abducted, found in CCD

The Daily Mirror web site reported (at 10.30am) that Sudaroli editor Mr.N. Vidyatharan was abducted quoting the police spokesperson. At 12.20 pm the same website reported that N. Vidyatharan was not abducted by an unknown group but was in fact taken in for questioning by police quoting the same Police Spokesperson. Mr. Saravanaphavan managing editor of the Uthayan group of news papers told media that police did not identify themselves or didn’t explain the reasons for his arrest at the time of his abduction – arrest .

51. 27^th Feb 2009 – Parliament defers debate on anti-conversion bill

Debate on a religious-conversion bill in Sri Lanka’s parliament has been deferred amid opposition from Christians. A parliamentary committee comprising Christian parliamentarians and leaders of political parties on Feb. 18 examined the bill and agreed it might have serious consequences on religious activities, spark interreligious conflict and possibly violate the country’s constitution. (UCAN)

51. 28^th Feb 2009 – SLTMA leadership summoned to CCD

President, deputy president and secretary of the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance were asked to report to Colombo Crime Division (CCD) today (28th Feb 2009).  All of then were questioned on their relations with Sudaroli editor N. Vidyatharan and short statements on their personal where abouts were recorded. Meanwhile in Jaffna Police visited the Uthayan newspaper office and recorded a statement from its editor Mr. Kanamainathan on his relation with Mr. Vidyatharan.

Other news:

1. 02^ndFeb2009 – Platform for freedom launched

The initial press conference of the ‘Platform for Freedom’ the movement for the right to live,  freedom of expression, and democracy  was held in Colombo at the Auditorium of the National Library on 2nd February. ”The People’s forum, Steering Committee and the Consultative Committee form the structure of the movement. This platform is open to anyone who respects the freedom of expression and the right to live. Already 6 political parties, 12 Trade Unions,  and 120 civil society organization have come together to voice against the denial of the right to live and feedom of expression” said Attorney at Law Sudarshana Gunawardena while briefing the media.

2. 08^th Feb 2009 – Vigil for Lasantha

Vigil for Lasantha Wikrematunge was held in Colombo o 8^th February. He was killed on 8^th January 2009.

3. 12^th Feb 2009 – CPJ on Sri Lanka media situation:

http://cpj.org/reports/2009/02/failure-to-investigate-sri-lankan-journalists-unde.php

4. 13^th Feb 2009 – IFJ Asia –Pacific organizations joint statement on Sri Lanka can be found at:

http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/joint-statement-to-the-president-and-government-of-sri-lanka

5. 17^th Feb 2009 – IPI on Sri Lanka media suppression

IPI director David

6. 24^th Feb 2009 – CPJ Robert Dietz’s testimony on Sri Lanka

Testimony made before the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia of Senate Foreign Relations Committee by Robert Dietz, Asia Program Coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists can be found http://cpj.org/asia/

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7. 27^th Feb 2009 – statements on Vidyathartan abduction-arrest can be found at

IFJ – http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/editor-s-kidnap-style-arrest-is-part-of-war-on-journalism-in-sri-lanka-says-ifj ,

RSF – http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=30401 .

Sri Lanka Press Institute and and 5 Media Collective also issued statements condemning the arrest /abduction of Sudaroli editor N, Vidyatharan.

8. 27^th Feb 2009 Tamil Nadu journalists protest

Over a hundred journalists held a demonstration in Chennai near the State Guest House on Saturday to condemn the increasing attacks on the media in Sri Lanka and the recent abduction and arrest of well-known Tamil newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan. The participants were from the Chennai Press Club, the Madras Union of Journalists, The Madras Reporters’ Guild, and ‘Journalists against Fascism’. (TN)