The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the reports of a raid on the home of a Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, Sivaram Dharmeratnam (Taraki), by the Sri Lankan Police on Monday, 3 May 2004 – World Press Freedom Day.
According to our information, on 3 May, scores of police personnel raided Dharmeratnam’s home in Colombo and searched the house and its premises alleging that a haul of military fatigue, explosives and fire arms were hidden there. Dharmeratnam’s family was harassed and intimidated by police, and were unaware of the reason for the search due to the warrant being written in Sinhala. Dharmeratnam was not at home during the search.
Dharmeratnam, is a journalist who has been reporting on the Tamil nationalist struggle and who is a political affairs columnist for English and Tamil newspapers and member of the Editorial Board of the news website www.tamilnet.com
The IFJ is deeply concerned over the trend of harassing, intimidating and in extreme cases the murder of journalists reporting in Sri Lanka during the last few years.
The IFJ calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of all journalists working in Sri Lanka.
“Journalists must be allowed to carry out their journalistic duties especially when reporting sensitive issues without facing harassment and intimidation,“ said IFJ President, Christopher Warren today.
The IFJ has called on the Government of Sri Lanka to carry out a fair and unbiased investigation into this incident and make a public statement giving out reasons for this action of the police. IFJ further urges the Government to take steps without delay to prevent any further incidents of a similar nature and make a genuine effort to create an environment conducive for independent journalism to make its mark in a democratic society.
Further information is available on in the IFJ Asia website at www.ifj-asia.org
For further information contact IFJ President Christopher Warren on +61 411 757 668.
The IFJ wrote the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in the following letter:
13 May 2004
Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
Chandrika B. Kumarathunga
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo-1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 2333703
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
58 Sri Ernest de SilvaMwatha,
Colombo –7
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 2542918
Email: [email protected]
Dear President and Prime Minister,
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists representing over 500,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned over the raid on the home of a Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, Sivaram Dharmeratnam (Taraki), by the Sri Lankan Police on Monday, 3 May 2004 – World Press Freedom Day.
According to our information, on 3 May, scores of police personnel raided Dharmeratnam’s home in Colombo and searched the house and its premises alleging that a haul of military fatigue, explosives and fire arms were hidden there. Dharmeratnam’s family was harassed and intimidated by police, and were unaware of the reason for the search due to the warrant being written in Sinhala. Dharmeratnam was not at home during the search.
Dharmeratnam is a journalist who has been reporting on the Tamil nationalist struggle and who is a political affairs columnist for English and Tamil newspapers and member of the Editorial Board of the news website www.tamilnet.com
The IFJ is deeply concerned over the trend of harassing, intimidating and in extreme cases the murder of journalists reporting in Sri Lanka during the last few years.
The IFJ calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to make a genuine effort to carry out a fair and unbiased investigation into this incident and make a public statement outlining the motivation for the action taken by the police.
IFJ further urges the Government to take steps without delay to prevent any further incidents of a similar nature and make a genuine effort to create an environment conducive for independent journalism to make its mark in a democratic society.
Yours sincerely
Christopher Warren
IFJ President
CC. Inspector General of Police
Indra De silva
Police Head Quarters
Colombo 1
Fax: +94 1 2446174
CC. Mr. Ranjith Abeysooriya
Chairman
National Police Commission
No. 69/1, Ward Place
Colombo 7
Fax: +94 1 2669528
Recommended Action:
Send appeals to the Government of Sri Lanka:
Appeals:
Chandrika B. Kumarathunga
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo-1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 2333703
Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
58 Sri Ernest de SilvaMwatha,
Colombo –7
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 2542918
Email: [email protected]
Please copy appeals to the IFJ Asia Office at [email protected]
For more information please contact IFJ Asia at [email protected]