Media freedom focal point to democracy: Somawansa (JVP)

Media persons enjoying the ‘vipaka’ (results) of their sins blame me -Army Commander

(Lanka-e-News, July 19, 2008, 11.20 PM) Media persons attempt to sling mud on the images of the Army and the Army Commander and when they enjoy the ‘vipaka’ (results) of their sins, they blame me, says Army Commander Sarath Fonseka in an interview with Sunday ‘Lakbima’ Sinhala newspaper.
Commenting on the incidents of threatening to media [...]

After 365 days it’s now a crawl for survival- LankaDissent

 
Monday, 07 July 2008 14:59 administrator   
One year ago this day (July 07th) was when we got this web site out in the net from this troubled little island, expecting the world would have an alternate view of our country than what’s usually captured in the conventional media. It was certainly an adventurous journey, WE set [...]

Police earplugs on Jaffna phones

 
Users of CDMA and mobile phones in the Jaffna peninsula have been asked to obtain a police clearance certificate for the use of the phones from this month, an official said yesterday.
For the past two months, CDMA phones have been barred while the use of hand phones is restricted to a few hours a day [...]

Assault on Daily Mirror journalist by UDA

Journalists who covered yesterday’s tense situation in Kompannaweediya that arose with the demolition of so-called unauthorized structures were manhandled and assaulted allegedly by a group who claimed to be from the UDA.
Daily Mirror journalist Yohan Perera who was beaten was admitted to the National Hospital.
Daily Mirror graphic journalist Sandun Kodituwakku and photo-journalist Pradeep Dilrukshana were [...]

Sri Lanka journalists harassed: media group

 
COLOMBO (AFP) — Journalists covering Sri Lanka’s war with Tamil Tiger rebels are being harassed despite a government pledge to take action to protect the press, a rights group said Friday.
The Free Media Movement (FMM) reported eight incidents of threats and intimidation, just two weeks after a ministerial committee was formed to look at the [...]

Sri Lanka tightens use of mobile phones to fight terrorism

 
 
July 12, 2008 (AFP) - Sri Lanka Saturday tightened mobile phone regulations and forced service providers to maintain full details of phone users as part of anti-terrorism moves.
 
 
Phone operators were told to check the identity of subscribers before signing them up, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission chief Priyantha Kariyapperuma said.
New and current subscribers also need to keep [...]

State not ready to file charges against Tissainayagam, asks Court for more time

Sri Lankan general ‘behind attacks’

 
Sri Lanka’s main opposition party has accused the country’s most senior army officer of being behind violent attacks on reporters.
Opposition MP Joseph Michael Perera told parliament that the attacks were carried out by a “special team” controlled by Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka.
Mr Perera said the government should arrest the offenders and “immediately bring them to [...]

SRI LANKA Christians And Media Rights Groups Protest Media Harassment

On 2008-7-8
COLOMBO (UCAN) — Christian priests joined representatives of media rights group at a “silent protest” against media harassment in front of the Colombo Magistrates Court.
A Catholic priest joins Christians in Colombo on June 30 protesting the government detention of Christian journalist J.S. Tissainayagam.
Police officers guarded the court on June 30 as about 50 journalists [...]