Sri Lanka: Appeal To End Media Intimidation

Appeal To Government Of Sri Lanka To Put A Stop To Media Intimidation

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to act quickly to investigate the latest threat against a Sri Lankan media outlet after a threatening letter was sent to the Colombo office of Lanka-e-News on July 2.

Lanka-e-News has been subject to a series of attacks and enforced closures in recent months. A journalist for the news service, Prageeth Eknaligoda, has been missing since January 24, two days before Sri Lanka’s presidential elections. Repeated calls for an investigation into his whereabouts and well-being have not been acknowledged by the Government.

The IFJ calls on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to investigate and punish the perpetrators of the latest attacks on media freedom, and guarantee protection for Lanka-e-News and its personnel.

“We are extremely concerned at the failure to protect media personnel in Sri Lanka and call on the Rajapaksa administration to honour its commitment to protect journalists’ rights and respect media freedom,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

ENDS

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