Tamil media subjected to intimidation, says Press Group

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 October 2006, 00:05 GMT]
Tamil media persons and Tamil media institutions in Sri Lanka have been subjected to intimidation and harassment said an International Press Delegation in its press briefing at Galle Face Hotel Wednesday at the conclusion of the International Mission's three-day visit to Colombo, sources in Colombo said.

The delegation arrived in Colombo on October 9 and held discussions with representatives of several media organizations representing state and private sectors.

The delegation later met with the Media Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella who is also the defence ministry spokesman, sources said.

The delegation said at the press briefing that it is the utmost duty of the government to safeguard the media institutions and media personnel.

Press freedom in the North East has been seriously affected, said the delegation.

The government has agreed to hold independent inquiry into the killings of journalists with the support of the international community, the delegation said.

Sunanda Desapirya of the Free Media Movement, A.Nixon, Joint Secretary of the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA) and M.Mussamil, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, thanked the international press delegation for visiting Sri Lanka in support of local journalists.