http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/minister-lashes-out-at-sri-lanka-media-again
August 05, 2008 Minister Lashes Out at Sri Lanka Media Again SAMSN August 06, 2008 The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Free Media Movement (FMM), an IFJ affiliate, in calling on the Sri Lanka Cabinet subcommittee established in June to investigate the continued violent anti-media actions of one of its own government ministers. According to the FMM, the Minister of Labour Mervyn Silva reportedly assaulted two journalists from the Sirasa television network at the site of a bridge opening in Kelaniya on August 4. The Sirasa TV crew, who reportedly sought reassurance from the Media Secretary of the Ministry of Highways after receiving an invitation to attend the event that they would not be physically or verbally attacked by Minister Silva, told the FMM that the assault took place in full view of the police, local officials and the general public. Silva's threat to journalist Thushara Saliva Ranawaka and video cameraman Waruna Sampath that he would have to break the Buddhist teaching of not taking any person's life was allegedly audible on Sirasa TV footage. The Minister then reportedly confiscated their cameras. The FMM reports that no police action has been taken despite Sirasa TV News Director Susil Kindelpitiya filing three complaints against Silva. "In the wake of its assurances of vibrant media freedom in Sri Lanka at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) meeting, the Sri Lankan government must act immediately to explain Minister Silva's violent behaviour and hold him accountable," said IFJ Asia-Pacific. In December 2007 Minister Silva stormed the offices of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and allegedly assaulted its news director. Since that time there have been over five attacks on SLRC staff and an abduction attempt on vocal journalists' rights' leader Poddala Jayantha, in a spike of attacks on journalists that have yet to be investigated by police. "Since December 2007 Minister Silva's actions demonstrate disrespect and incitement of hatred towards media workers in Sri Lanka," said IFJ Asia-Pacific. "With no police investigation underway into these incidents, higher intervention by the cabinet subcommittee is now imperative." The IFJ joins the FMM in calling on the Sri Lankan government and cabinet subcommittee to take immediate action to quell these attacks against the media in Sri Lanka. For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919 The IFJ represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide Web address for this page http://www.publikr.com/articles/este-articulo-es-una-cosa-estupenda
