2ND LEAD

Defense journalist beatenup, released

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 May 2008, 01:14 GMT]
Keith Noyahr, Defence writer of English weekly The Nation is reported missing after he left his office at 10:30 p.m. 22nd May 2008, was later released after being severely beaten up, sources in Colombo said. He has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, according to reports.

Free Media Movement (FMM), a Colombo-based media watchdog, earlier in an urgent press release requested all press freedom organizations to take urgent action to get the journalist released.

Full text of the release follows:

Keith Noyahr, Defence writer of English weekly The Nation reported missing from late evening today 22nd May 2008.

He has left his office around 10.30 pm but has not reached home. His vehicle was found close to his house, head lights and engine running.

Editor of the Nation has made a complaint to the Dehiwala police on the incident.

FMM request all press freedom orgaisations to take urgent action to save the life of journalist Keith Noyahr.

Please make phone calls.


The President of Sri Lanka + 94 112447400
[email protected]
Secretary to the President +94 112 2326309
[email protected]
Minister of Information + 94 112596557