In a program entitled ‘Rata Yana Atha – with Hudsan Samasinghe’ which aired on Saturday (27th of March) was a long and direct attack on media freedom. Under the pretext of the Akon affair, the theme of the program was that rata – country – is more important than media freedom.
The Sirasa attack: Was Akon just an excuse?
Monday’s attack by a pack of goons on the Sirasa /MTV media network’s head office, that took place in broad daylight in the heart of the city, has been followed by the usual round of condemnations by government representatives.
Police Protect Sirasa Attackers
Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya vehemently denied having reprimanded the DIG for Colombo H. M. B. Herath and the Slave Island OIC K. M. Perera for taking action and intervening in the attack on MTV/MBC last Monday (22).
Religious Police
Sri Lankan authorities have detained Sarah Malani Perera, a Sri Lankan-born resident of Bahrain, at the Katunayake Airport for publishing two books allegedly offensive to Buddhism. She was leaving after a three-month holiday in Sri Lanka.
Media Ministry Demands That Every Journalist Declare Assets
Every journalist in the country will have to submit a declaration of their assets to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information by April 30th.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SRI LANKA 