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NEW DELHI:The actions of Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa in reportedly threatening a newspaper editor and
criticism of free media by Health Minister Nimal Siripala
De Silva have come under heavy attack by the International
Federation of Journalists.
According to IFJ affiliate Free Media Movement (FMM), the
Defence Secretary threatened 'Daily Mirror' editor Champika
Liyanarachchby on April 17 over the newspaper's coverage of
Sri Lanka's worsening conflict.
Describing this as a shocking example of increasing political
interference in Sri Lankan media, IFJ President Christopher
Warren said "This is another outrageous example of Sri
Lankan officials unashamedly seeking to threaten the media
into submission, and is simply unacceptable." The IFJ
represents 500,000 journalists in over 115 countries.
The FMM reports Rajapaksa, the brother of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa, complained about the supposed anti-government stand
taken in a 'Daily Mirror' front page story which said the
government was turning a blind eye to the Karuna faction flaunting
its weapons in Pottuvil.
Rajapaksa also warned the government would not protect Liyanarachchby
if the story incited the Karuna faction to violence against
her. "This threat is a violation of journalists' right
to work without fear for their personal safety," said
Warren.
According to the FMM, Rajapaksa was also allegedly unhappy
with the Daily Mirror's coverage of the treatment of Sri Lanka's
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in army-run camps. "If
Sri Lankans are being mistreated by factional groups or the
military, then the newspapers have both the right and need
to publicise that information," Warren said.
"This is yet another example of the heavy-handed meddling
by Sri Lankan authorities that is severely limiting Sri Lankan
press freedom," Warren said.
Rajapaksa's threats come four days after the FMM reported
Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva publicly stated that
Sri Lanka's media show symptoms of rabies and need urgent
inoculation in hospital.
"These intolerable and slanderous comments further undermine
the important role Sri Lanka's media have in holding their
politicians accountable," Warren said.
FMM reports that De Silva's comments may have resulted from
recent investigative reports alleging gross corruption in
De Silva's health ministry.
"A responsible minister would be open to public accountability,
allowing for informed media criticism," Warren said,
adding "The IFJ deplores the behaviour of both Defence
Secretary Rajapaksa and Health Minister De Silva and demands
no further interference by government officials in Sri Lanka's
free media."
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