The International Federation of Journalists has protested to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Minister for Communication, and the Chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon over the death threats received by journalist Poddala Jayantha from the Silumina newspaper.


3 July 2003

Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe,
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka,
"Temple Trees",
Colombo 3,
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 388 071 and 94 384 916

Hon. Imtiaz Bakir Markar,
Minister for Mass Communication,
Ministry for Mass Communication,
World Trade Centre,
Colombo 01.
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 440 488

Mr. Nalin Ladduwahetty,
Chairman,
The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.,
Colombo 10,
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 430 985


Dear Prime Minister,

The International Federation of Journalists, the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the recent death threats towards journalist Poddala Jayantha from the Silumina newspaper.

According to our information , Poddala Jayantha has received death threats by telephone towards him and his family. The source of the death threats appear to be linked to an article written by Jayantha exposing corruption in the state banking sector, which involved the promising of unemployed youth jobs in the sector, and teachers higher paid jobs in private schools as counsellors. The result of the corruption was millions of rupees in payment for those responsible for the farce.

On behalf of the IFJ, I am urging the Government of Sri Lanka to launch a full investigation into the death threats and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice

The IFJ reminds the Government of Sri Lanka that journalists must be able to work in an environment free from fear of violence and intimidation in order to ensure a free and unbiased press.

The IFJ asks the Government of Sri Lanka to work to ensure freedom of the press and safety for all journalists in Sri Lanka.


Yours sincerely,


Christopher Warren
IFJ President

Recommended Action:

Send appeals to the Government of Sri Lanka

o Condemning the death threats against journalist Poddala Jayantha
o Urging them to launch a full investigation into the threats
o Urging the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure press freedom and safety of all journalists working in Sri Lanka

Appeals:

Hon Ranil Wickremesinghe,
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka,
"Temple Trees",
Colombo 3,
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 1 388 071 and 94 384 916

Hon. Imtiaz Bakir Markar,
Minister for Mass Communication,
Ministry for Mass Communication,
World Trade Centre,
Colombo 01.
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 1 440 488

Mr. Nalin Ladduwahetty,
Chairman,
The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.,
Colombo 10,
Sri Lanka.
Fax: +94 1 430 985