Amnesty International concerned by attacks on journalists by Rajapaksa loyalists

Amnesty International said that they are concerned by reports that journalists working at government-controlled media outlets were subject to threats, intimidation and harassment after the controversial appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister by President Sirisena on Friday.

“All journalists must be allowed to carry out their work freely and without fear. The authorities have a responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being,” said Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Global Operations, Minar Pimple. 

The editorials of State-owned Lake House newspapers, Daily News, Dinamina and Silumina were taken over by trade unions affiliated to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a party which Mahinda Rajapaksa is the de facto leader of. Editor of the Sunday Observer Dharisha Bastians also claimed in a tweet that she was ousted as she refused to be coerced in to taking an editorial like forced upon by SLPP supporters within the organization. The Daily news had also been forced to change it's front page on Saturday (27) by the SLPP union goon Sanjaya Bandara at Lake House along with several senior journalists within the organization. 

Local media also reported that certain media personnel were threatened with physical assault by Rajapaksa loyalists at state owned TV stations SLRC and ITN. Subhash Jayawardene, Deputy General Manger of News and Current Affairs of ITN, was attacked by a mob when trying to leave the premises by Rajapaksa goons. Furthermore, Sanjaya Liyanage, the Assistant Director of News and Current Affiars at SLRC was also subjected to death threats soon after the appointment of Rajapaksa.

Responding to the current political crisis in Sri Lanka, Minar Pimple, said that “Human rights must not become a casualty of Sri Lanka’s political crisis. The authorities must ensure that key freedoms are respected and protected at this time. People should be allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.”