The IFJ asks the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that opposition voices are not silenced in the wake of the current religious tension in that country.
The IFJ has protested to the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in the following letter:
29 January 2004
Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo-1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 333 703
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghae
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
58 Sri Ernest de SilvaMwatha,
Colombo –7
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 422073 542929
[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 allegations against freelance journalist and political columnist, Upal Joseph Fernando.
According to our information, in December 2004 an anti-Christian extremist group filed a formal complaint against Fernando to the police claiming that Fernando authored a defamatory leaflet against Buddhists.
The complaint has since motivated an investigation from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. We understand Fernando was questioned in a threatening way at the Police Criminal Investigation Section on 19 January.
The IFJ believes that it is inappropriate for the Police’s Criminal Investigation section to carry out such an investigation. The IFJ maintains that these charges are politically motivated in an effort to silence journalists who attempt to offer an alternate view on the situation in Sri Lanka.
The IFJ urges the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the current religious tension in Sri Lanka not be used as an excuse to intimidate journalists.
Yours sincerely
Christopher Warren
IFJ President
Recommended Action:
Send appeals to the Government of Sri Lanka
Appeals:
Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
President,
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo-1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 333 703
Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghae
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
58 Sri Ernest de SilvaMwatha,
Colombo –7
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 1 422073 542929
[email protected]
Please copy appeals to the IFJ Asia Office at [email protected]
For more information please contact IFJ Asia at [email protected]