Global media network concerned over threats on Sri Lanka media
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, expresses its concern at the recent assaults and abductions of media workers in Sri Lanka, and the failure of the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Full text of statement by IPI:
The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, expresses its concern at the recent assaults and abductions of media workers in Sri Lanka, and the failure of the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Attacks against the media have long been a problem in Sri Lanka. However, according to information before IPI, the number of such attacks has spiked alarmingly in recent weeks, with groups travelling in vans with falsified registration plates known to assault and abduct Sri Lankan journalists, particularly those reporting on defence issues.
In the most recent attack on freedom of the press, freelance journalist and deputy head of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), Namal Perera, was attacked by a group of men armed with metal bars while driving in his car in the country’s capital, Colombo, on 30 June. A Political Officer of the British High Commission, Mahendra Ratnaweera, was also assaulted during the incident, both were admitted to hospital.
The fact that there has been no arrests made in these cases has led to the announcement, made on 3 July by the SLPI and the Newspaper Publishers’ Association, of a SLR 5 million (approximately US$46,000) reward for any information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the assault on Perera.
“We call on the Sri Lankan authorities to fully investigate all crimes against journalists and to take steps to improve the overall media environment,” said David Dadge, IPI Director.
