Sunday, January 31, 2010

Five media organizations condemn the repression against " Lanka" newspaper



The five prominent media rights groups in Sri Lanka have issued a joint statement condemning the government's decision to close down the 'Lanka' newspaper office and to arrest the editor of the paper, Chandana Sirimalwatte. The statement signed by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Federation of Media Employees Trade Union (FMETU), Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA) and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) denounced the government's decision stating "that sole reason behind the repression of the Lanka newspaper and its editor Chandana Sirimalwatta is the role played by the newspaper during recently concluded presidential election."

On Saturday (30), the Sri Lankan Government took steps to seal off the pro-opposition "Lanka" newspaper office after arresting and detaining the editor of the paper on Friday (29) afternoon.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

MEDIA MATTERS: Time for an independent press?


Photo Courtesy of http://indi.ca/

Sevanti Ninan - With the re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka, many will be watching to see what his next term will mean for the government's policy towards private media. The persecution of the Sri Lankan media has been a long-running international story, particularly after the killing in January last year of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor of the Sunday Leader. Several journalists fled to seek asylum in the West, and an expatriate group called Journalists for Democracy has helped to keep Western media attention focused on the vulnerability of journalists in Sri Lanka.

Organisations such as Reporters Without Borders have been putting out releases in the run-up to election day, alleging on the day of the polls that news websites were being blocked. Even though one managed to access an allegedly blocked website, the story was that the servers were blocked so that further material could not be uploaded.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sri Lanka: Facebook users come under scrutiny



By Rathindra Kuruwita - Authorities are monitoring the user activities of Facebook and Twitter social networking sites as some members of these networks allegedly defame prominent personalities and spread false rumours against the government.

A special team at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is already monitoring the user activities on Facebook, LAKBIMAnEWS learns. “A special team is randomly monitoring activity on social networking sites. The government is worried about false notes on Facebook that criticize the election results giving false allegations and openly doubting the validity and the legitimacy of the result,” a TRC source said.

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

World media groups express grave concern



The pro-Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) newspaper Lanka was sealed by CID detectives yesterday – while world media rights groups expressed alarm over attacks on journalists and the free media after the presidential election.

Armed with a court order, the detectives turned up at the Lanka editorial office at Delkanda in Nugegoda last evening to seal the premises. This means the newspaper will not be published until this clamp down is withdrawn.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

"General Fonseka should be arrested immediately" says NFF leader



National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said that Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka should be arrested immediately without allowing him to leave the country.

Weerawansa made this statement at a press conference held at the NFF headquarters on Friday (29) morning.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

General Fonseka warns the government



By Kshanika Argent - Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, speaking at a press briefing a short while ago, warned that he will expose government secrets should anything happen to him and demanded that the government stop harassing him.

The former Army Commander said that he has filed detailed documents in which he has listed malpractices of government officials who have been harassing him since he decided to run for President.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

"We are in touch with Fonseka over his security" - US



US has said it is in touch with the defeated Sri Lankan Opposition Presidential candidate over the issue of his security which was withdrawn on Thursday and has urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to move towards a political reconciliation.

"We are watching carefully and we have been in touch with General Fonseka regarding his security", US Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley said in Washington.

On the fears expressed by the defeated candidate, Crowley said, "Well, he had expressed public concerns and I think the (US) Embassy (in Colombo) reached out to him and just remain– we'll remain in contact with him to clarify what his future intentions are and to be helpful if that's appropriate".

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

URGENT ALERT: CID SEALS "LANKA IRIDA"!



The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who broke into "Irida Lanka" newspaper office in the early hours of Saturday (30) have now sealed off the newspaper office a short while ago – at around 14.00.p.m Sri Lanka time. Before closing down the office, the CID officers have questioned everyone inside the office, while preventing anyone from outside visiting the office.

In the aftermath of the presidential election, the Sri Lankan government has launched an all out war against all the media who backed the candidacy of former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka. The decision to seal off "Irida Lanka" follows the earlier action taken by the government to close down another pro-opposition website "Lanka E News" on Thursday (28) evening. The arrested editor of "Irida Lanka", Chandana Sirimalwatte, is still being held in CID custody.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

URGENT ALERT: CID RAIDS ARRESTED JOURNALIST'S RESIDENCE



Officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) who had previously arrested the editor of the "Irida Lanka" newspaper, Chandana Sirimalwatte, have tried to break into his residence a short while ago. According to initial reports, the officers who had visited his residence tried to search the premises without a search warrant. But the wife of the journalist had refused to grant permission since the officers failed to produce a valid search warrant. She has given her protest in writing to the officers.

In the meantime, another group of CID officers have raided the "Irida Lanka" newspaper office on Saturday (30) morning for the second time, after sealing off the premises to visitors. Earlier on Friday (29) afternoon, following the arrest of the editor, the CID broke into "Irida Lanka" office and had searched the premises extensively. They had brought the arrested journalist along with them and had forced him to hand over files that contain sensitive information. According to our sources, the second CID raid is still going on and the officers are questioning every staff member despite their protest.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Sri Lanka Police arrest staff of General Fonseka



The police raided the office of Sri Lanka’s defeated presidential candidate on Friday and arrested 15 of his staff members, after officials accused him of plotting to overthrow the government and assassinate his victorious rival.

The candidate, Sarath Fonseka, a general who carried out the successful military operation against the Tamil Tiger insurgency last year, called the allegations fabricated and vowed to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s party in coming parliamentary elections.


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Saturday, January 30, 2010

Journalists in Sri Lanka face intimidation, censorship and harassment - CPJ



The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by reports that journalists in Sri Lanka have been subjected to government intimidation, arrests, censorship, and harassment in the aftermath of this week’s presidential election.

“We are receiving reports of government retribution against journalists who sided with the opposition in the election. Given the ugly history of attacks on journalists in Sri Lanka, we call on President Mahina Rajapaksa to ensure the safety of all journalists in Sri Lanka, and to use his new mandate to reverse the repressive trends of the past several years,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

"Halt post-election crackdown on media!" - RSF



Read the profile of a "predator"

Two days after he was declared the winner of this week’s election, Reporters Without Borders appealed today to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to put a stop to arrests and intimidation of journalists working for privately-owned and foreign media.

“This wave of post-election violence could cast a lasting stain on the start of President Rajapaksa’s second term and bodes ill for the political climate during the coming years,” said Reporters Without Borders, which highlighted an increase in election violence and censorship in countries such as Iran and Tunisia in its latest press freedom roundup.

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Saturday, January 30, 2010

After election, will Sri Lanka improve press record?



By Bob Dietz/Asia Program Coordinator - CPJ - Sri Lanka’s Department of Elections today declared incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa the winner of the presidential election with almost 58 percent of the vote. The situation is still tense as his opponent, former Gen. Sarath Fonseka, threatens a lawsuit to challenge the entire process, from voter access to irregularities in computer counting, to name just two aspects. Fonseka remains sequestered in the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo, where he and his political allies gathered as the results were tallied. Some Sri Lankan media say Fonseka is claiming there is a plot to assassinate him. Soon after he announced the results of the voting, Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake said he wanted to resign. He told reporters he is no longer able to bear the pressure imposed by various parties.

Among media professionals, there is plenty of tension. During the campaign, news media pretty much took sides in supporting either Rajapaksa or Fonseka. There was little middle ground in the coverage. Rajapaksa’s opponents note that state-controlled media were blatantly and illegally pressed into the incumbent’s political service.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

URGENT ALERT: "IRIDA LANKA" EDITOR ARRESTED!



Editor of the "Irida Lanka" newspaper, Chandana Sirimalwatte, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on Friday (29) afternoon. According to his lawyers he was questioned for two hours and was detained for further questioning.

Following the election victory, the ruling UPFA regime has launched a massive crackdown on all media institutions which backed the opposition candidate, former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka. On Thursday (28), the authorities took steps to close down "Lanka E News" website, following the government's decision to block the local viewers from visiting the website for two days. In a separate incident on the same day, a State television employee who had been an outspoken critic of the state media policy was assaulted at his place of work.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

Sri Lanka expels Swiss reporter



Sri Lankan authorities have withdrawn the visa granted to a Swiss reporter covering the island's fiercely fought presidential vote and asked her to leave the country within 48 hours.

Karin Wenger of Swiss Public Radio said she was sent a letter by the immigration controller saying she must leave the island before Monday and that her application for a media accreditation card had been denied.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

MASKED STF OFFICERS RAID GENERAL FONSEKA'S OFFICE!



By Ranga Sirilal and Andrew Caballero-Reynolds - Sri Lankan police raided the office of losing presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka on Friday, an aide said, two days after troops had surrounded him inside a hotel on suspicion he was plotting a coup.

"The police Special Task Force broke into the office of Sarath Fonseka," aide Asanka Mahagedara told Reuters.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

CID RAIDS "LANKA IRIDA" OFFICE: SEEKS STATEMENT FROM THE EDITOR



A group of officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)has raided "Lanka Irida" news paper office short while ago. They have informed the newspaper staff that they need to record a statement from the Chief Editor of the paper, Chandana Sirimalwatte.

On Thursday (28), addressing a media conference in Colombo, the leader of the People's Liberation Front (JVP) stated that the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is also the brother of Prsident Mahinda Rajapaksa, has threatened him over the phone saying "I will set your Lanka newspaper on fire – be warned." Responding to the allegations, the Defence Secretary denied threatening the JVP leader but admitted that he made the call to 'clarify certain matters'. The latest incident comes in the aftermath of the above accusations.

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Friday, January 29, 2010

URGENT ALERT: "LANKA E NEWS" OFFICE SEALED!



The office of the ‘Lanka e news’, a prominent news website operating from Sri Lanka, has been sealed off by the authorities, according to the journalists attached to the news site. When the journalists reported to work today (29.01.10), they have found out that the office has been sealed off.

The website, which maintained a highly critical editorial policy towards the ruling party during the recent presidential race, was targeted by the authorities soon after the results were announced. Prior to the latest incident the Lanka e News complained that the government has blocked their website on the Election Day (26), restricting readers residing in Sri Lanka from accessing the site. Two days before the elections, another regular contributor to the website, Prageeth Eknalogoda, went missing after leaving the website office and his whereabouts remains unknown. On Thursday (28), the website reported that a group of armed men who were believed to be members of a VIP security division, has arrived at the website office in a vehicle bearing the registration number 32-8432, around 8.00 p.m. The armed group has surrounded the office, but left the scene after realizing that there was no one inside.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Government to take action against General Fonseka



Anbarasan Ethirajan - The Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that the government is considering taking action against the opposition presidential candidate and former army chief General Sarath Fonseka for allegedly divulging sensitive information to the public.

His comments came just a day after the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa was announced the winner of the presidential elections.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

STATE TELEVISON EMPLOYEE ASSAULTED



A media employee attached to the state controlled TV broadcaster Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has been assaulted by a person claimed to be a coordinator of Sri Lanka's president.

Ravi Abeywickrama, the Organizer of the Program Producers Union in the state TV corporation was reportedly assaulted by the official close to the president Mahinda Rajapaksa in the presence of corporation's chairman, Ariyarathna Athugala

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

"I was forced to remove Competent Authority from state media": Polls Chief



“The two state media organisations did not comply with the relevant regulations of the election. Although the two heads of those media houses assured the Competent Authority (CA) appointed by me that they would comply with the CA's guidelines, it simply did not happen forcing me to remove him,” said the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake yesterday.

Addressing a media briefing last evening at the Elections Secretariat at Rajagiriya to announce that Mahinda Rajapaksa had been elected as the President of the country according to the provisions of the Constitution, the polls chief spoke of instances where several regional leaders had disturbed his staff; District Returning Officers being unable to take control; several Deputy Elections Commissioners coming under verbal abuse; election officials of one polling station being chased out, etc.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sri Lanka: General Fonseka under House Arrest



Although the Army allowed General Sarath Fonseka, who contested the last Presidential Elections as the Common Opposition Candidate to go home from Hotel Cinnamon Lakeside, we reliably inform the readers that he is being kept under an unofficial House Arrest.

His house on Queens Road, Colombo 03 is encircled by soldiers of the Special Task Force and Gajaba Regiment of the Army, a reliable source informed Lanka News Web.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

"I will set your newspaper on fire" - SL Defence Secretary threatens JVP leader



“ I will set your Lanka newspaper on fire – be warned” were the words of Defence Secretary and brother of the President, Gotabaya Rajapakse to Somawansa Amarasinghe, leader of the JVP. The Defence Secretary made this call this morning to Mr Amarasinghe’s mobile phone. The conversation was witnessed by the JVP leader’s driver and members of the staff.

“ Around 9.21 am this morning, I received a call from the mobile no 077 – 3501626 which is the Defence Secretary’s number. He threatened me with death but I told him that one dies only once. He then asked me if I had not lived abroad and I said yes, I have but so have you. He next threatened to set Lanka newspaper press on fire.” Said Mr Amarasinghe at a press conference held in Pelawatte.

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Thursday, January 28, 2010

"If Prageeth is not missing, government should prove it" - SLWJA



A number of Sri Lankan web newspapers are blocked by Sri Lanka authorities in the run up to the presidential polls, a press freedom watchdog claims.

Lankaenews, Lankanewsweb, Infolanka and Sri Lanka Guardian websites were blocked in Sri Lanka hours before the results of the presidential elections announced, Paris based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a statement.

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