The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the killing of Sri Lankan television journalist Rashmi Mohamed who died in a bombing of the opening ceremony of the new office of Sri Lanka's United National Party (UNP) in Anuradhapura.
"Once again indiscriminate terrorist violence has claimed a journalists' life and that of innocent civilians," said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. "Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world and they are all too often targeted or part of the collateral damage of the country's violent conflict."
The IFJ joined its Sri Lankan affiliates and other Sri Lankan media groups in mourning the death of Mohamed, provincial correspondent of Sirasa TV.
The explosion at the ceremony on Monday morning killed more than 20 people including the Leader of the Opposition of the North Central Provincial Council, Major General Janaka Perera, and other leading UNP figures in the area said the Free Media Movement, an IFJ affiliate. Nearly 80 people were injured. According to media reports Perera was the target of Tamil Tiger suicide bomber.
The IFJ said the attack underscored the constant danger that Sri Lankan journalists face and the urgent need for safety training for journalists so they can protect themselves when working under dangerous conditions.
Mohamed is at least the second journalist killed in Sri Lanka this year. In May Paranirupasingam Devakumar, 36, was hacked to death in Navanthurei by unidentified attackers while returning from Jaffna town. Devakumar had also worked as a correspondent for Sirasa TV as well as MTV for almost three years.
For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide