Sri Lanka imposes censorship

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President imposed censorship on the local and foreign press today. The new regulations prohibit the 'publication and transmission' of 'sensitive military information'. The clamp down on the press comes in the wake of heavy fighting in the northern Vanni region where the Sri Lanka Army's (SLA) Operation 'Jeya Sikurui' is facing stiff resistance from the Liberation Tigers (LTTE).

Titled "Emergency (Prohibition on Publication and Transmission Sensitive Military Information) Regulations No.1 of 1998.", a press release reads:

"Regulations have been made by Her Excellency the President prohibiting the publication and transmission of sensitive military information. Major General J.Nammuni, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army has been appointed as the Competent Authority for the purpose of the said Regulation."

"Copies of the Regulations and the order made by H.E the President are sent herewith. Please be good enough to give publicity to these Regulations."

It was signed by the Secretary/Defence, R.K.Chandrananda de Silva.