http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Atrocities_20070528_Ratmalana_Bomb.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/LTTE_Atrocities_20060615_Kebithigollewa_Massacre.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/chronology_of_suicide_bomb_attacks_by_Tamil_Tigers_in_sri_Lanka.htm
http://www.spur.asn.au/After_signing_the_so-called_JM.htm
"???-?????" <kvjohan@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:3382365b-9c53-4237-b936-914e18df4d11@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Military officer's appointment to SLRC troubles IFJ
> [TamilNet, Thursday, 20 March 2008, 13:31 GMT]
> The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), in a press release
> issued Thursday, expressed deep concern at the appointment of a
> retired army Major General to a senior position at the state
> broadcaster, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cor****ation (SLRC). "The appointment
> follows threatened strike action by staff at SLRC to demand protection
> in the face of a series of threats and attacks on staff allegedly
> linked to a melee at the station's office on December 27, when Labour
> Minister Mervyn Silva assaulted SLRC news director TMG Chandrasekara,"
> the press release said.
>
> Full text of the press release follows:
>
> The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned
> that Sri Lanka's Government has appointed a recently retired army
> Major General to a senior position at the troubled state broadcaster,
> Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cor****ation (SLRC).
>
> The appointment came as authorities released three journalists who had
> been held without charge for almost two weeks. Two other journalists
> arrested at the same time remain in custody.
>
> According to IFJ affiliate the Free Media Movement (FMM), Maj. Gen.
> Sunil Silva has been appointed as Additional Deputy Director General,
> Administration, at SLRC. FMM re****ts this is a newly created post.
>
> Maj. Gen. Sunil Silva was head of the Army Signals Regiment before
> retiring officially on January 18, 2008. He is expected to assume his
> duties in coming days.
>
> The appointment follows threatened strike action by staff at SLRC to
> demand protection in the face of a series of threats and attacks on
> staff allegedly linked to a melee at the station's office on December
> 27, when Labour Minister Mervyn Silva assaulted SLRC news director TMG
> Chandrasekara.
>
> Meanwhile, the IFJ welcomed the release on March 19 of three
> journalists and media workers associated with www.outreachsl.com.
> However, it remained extremely concerned for the safety and well-being
> of two other people connected with www.outreachsl.com who remain in
> custody.
>
> The three who were released are journalist K. Wijesingha, cameraman
> Ranga Lasanatha and visual editor Udayanan. They were arrested by the
> Terrorist Information Department (TID) between March 7 and 8.
>
> Journalist J.S Tissainayagam, editor of www.outreachsl.com, and N.
> Jasiharan, the owner of E-Kwality Printers and a writer for the
> website, are still detained.
>
> Jasiharan was arrested by TID officers on March 6. His laptop computer
> and printed material from the printing press were also confiscated.
>
> Tissainayagam was arrested by TID officers on March 7. He was detained
> under emergency regulations for 30 days. On March 19, an application
> was filed on his behalf with the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka regarding
> alleged unlawful arrest and detention.
>
> The IFJ and its affiliates, the FMM, the Federation of Media Employees
> Trade Union (FMETU) and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists' Association
> (SLWJA), as well as the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and Sri
> Lanka Tamil Journalists Alliance (SLTJA), demand that authorities make
> transparent the reasons for the arrests and follow due legal process
> in the cases of Tissainayagam and Jasiharan.
>
> "The IFJ joins its affiliates in appealing to the Sri Lankan
> Government to release J.S. Tissainayagam and N. Jasiharan if they are
> not brought to court or charges are not laid in due time," IFJ Asia-
> Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
>
> "The IFJ is also very concerned for the safety of all journalists in
> Sri Lanka. For example, the series of attacks and threats against SLRC
> staff since December have been permitted to continue without any
> intervention by authorities.
>
> "In times of conflict and insecurity, a military appointment to the
> state broadcaster raises concerns about restrictions on freedom of
> expression and association at the state broadcaster.
>
> "The appointment of Maj. Gen. Sunil Silva to the SLRC does nothing to
> allay concerns for the well-being of SLRC staff and press freedom in
> general in Sri Lanka. Rather, the IFJ is disturbed that the
> appointment of someone closely associated with the military has been
> made immediately following the in-house union's demands that staff be
> protected, as is their right."
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