Human rights and media freedom in sri lanka

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People for Human Rights & Equality (PHRE) andDarebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC)

Human Rights andMedia Freedom in Sri Lanka

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Lasantha WickrematungeEditor - Sunday Leader and

Winner - UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2009

Assassinated in January 2009

Nadesapillai VidyarthanChief Editor - Sudar Oli & Uthayan

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Leader Printing Press

Abducted, severely beaten, detained &released due to International pressure (2009)

Set on fire (2009)

Keith NoyahrDeputy Editor - The Nation

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Namal PereraDeputy Head - The Sri Lanka Press Institute

hours before his abduction

Abducted & severely assaulted (2009) Attacked with iron bars (2008)

Jayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam Editor - news Web site Outreach SL, North Eastern Monthly, Sunday Times

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Detained & charged for writing articles critical of the government (2008)Prisoner of conscience

Paranirupasingham Devakumar Reporter - Sirasa, Shakthi & MTV

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Hacked to death (2008)

Some viewers may find the next image disturbing

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Selvarajah RajivarnamJournalist – Uthayan

Shot dead (2007)

Subash ChandraboseEditor – Nilam

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Subramaniam RamachandiranJournalsit - Yaal Thinakkural & Vaalampuri

Shot dead (2007) Kidnapped & Made to Disappear (2007)

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Sampath Lakmal de SilvaFreelance Journalist

Parameswaree MaunasamiJournalist - Mawbima and Suriyan FM

Abducted and shot dead (2006)

Abducted, detained, threatened and released due to International pressure (2006)


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Subramaniyam SugirdharajanJournalist – Sudar Oli, who reported the shooting to death of five students

in the proximity of the Navy camp - Trincomalee

Shot dead in the High Security Zone (2006)


Relangi Selvarajah Senior broadcaster - Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) & film Actress

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Shot dead along with her husband (2005)

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Dharmeratnam SivaramEditor - TamilNet, Journalist, Daily Mirror, Virakesari and Island

Abducted, assaulted, shot dead & his body thrown near the Parliamentary Complex (2005)

Letter in Sinhala allegedly claiming responsibility

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Aiyathurai (Nellai) NadesanJournalist - Virakesari &

Vice-President Journalists’ Union in the East

Mylvahanam NimalarajanJournalist - BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya & Suriyan FM

Shot and wounded along with his parents and relativesLater succumbed to injuries (2000)

Shot dead (2004)

Rohana KumaraChief editor – Satana

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Atputharajah Nadaraja (Ramesh)Chief editor – Thinamurasu

Rohana’s widow,Charitha, received bribery offers & death threats demanding not to publish Rohana’s articles. Presidential Security Division implicated

Shot dead (1999) Shot dead (1999)

Richard de ZoysaJournalist - Sri Lankan Rupavahini Corporation

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Kidnapped, tortured, assassinated & thrown in the sea (1990)

Rajinee ThiranagamaWriter & Free lance journalist

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Sagarika GomezJournalist - SLRC, Singer & Actress

Shot dead (1989) Kidnapped and murdered (1989)

Premakeerthi de AlwisJournalist - SLBC & Lyricist

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Thevis GurugeDirector General - SLBC & Competent Authority - Media



K NavaratnamJournalist - Eelanadu

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Wimal SurendraJournalist - Island

Sathasivam Sivashanmugamoorthy (Sundaram) Journalist - Island


Shot dead (1981)

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Media personnel murdered 1981 – 2009 - Part 1Year Month Day Media Person Nationality Place of Killing Nature of Media WorkNewspaper

1981 June 3 Navaratnam Tamil Chunnakam, Jaffna Photographer - Eelanadu

1981 October 26 Wimal S Surendra Sinhala Jaela, Colombo Photograper - Divaina

1982 January 2 Sathasivam Sivashanmugamoorthy (Sundaram) Tamil Jaffna Editor - Pudiya Pathai (First newspaper - PLOTE)

1984 June-August Rajaratnam Jeyachandran (Parthan) Tamil Kalavanchikudy, Batticaloa Editor - Viduthalai (PLOTE)

1985 T Thayanandan Tamil Ninthavur, Amparai News Reporter - Virakesari

1986 S Jeganathan (Kavaloor) Tamil Tamilnadu Writer, Pioneer - Literary Festivals

1986 K S Ratnasinham Tamil Vavunathivu, Batticaloa News Reporter - Virakesari

1987 October 5 Nilantha Gunawardena (Lighting) Sinhala Palali, Jaffna Camera Crew - Sri Lanka (State) Rupavahini Corporation

1987 October 5 Renuka Aththanayake (Engineer) Sinhala Palali, Jaffna Camera Crew - Sri Lanka (State) Rupavahini Corporation

1987 October 5 Gamini Jayantha (Technical Officer) Sinhala Palali, Jaffna Camera Crew - Sri Lanka (State) Rupavahini Corporation

1987 October 5 Y Karunapala (Driver) Sinhala Palali, Jaffna Camera Crew - Sri Lanka (State) Rupavahini Corporation

1987 October 13 Kumaraiah Kamaladas Tamil Jaffna Printing Assistant Utahyan

1987 October 19 Aruna Kahandagamage Sinhala Aranthalawa, Kandy Writer (Mission) and Poet, Communist and anti-war activist

1987 October 29 Nandana Marasinha Sinhala Anuradhapura Poet and song writer

1987 October K M Vasahar Tamil Jaffna Radio Artist - Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation

1987 October S Nadarajah Tamil Jaffna Radio Artist - Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation

1987 November 18 Sathyapala Wannigama Sinhala Tangalla, Hambantota Feature writer - Divaina and Lecturer - Ruhuna Campus

1987 Kithsiri Samaranayaka Sinhala Colombo Lankadeepa

1987 Dehiwala MMC of the UNP Sinhala Colombo Script Writer - Vame Kathawa

1988 February 16 Vijaya Kumaratunga Sinhala Narahenpita, Colombo Film Actor, Leader - Sri Lanka Mahajana Party

1988 May 17 Chandrasiri W Sinhasena (Newspaper Agent's son) Sinhala Welimada Newspaper Agent

1988 May 17 G B Gunadasa (Sales Assistant) Sinhala Welimada Newspaper Agent

1988 July 9 U C Karunatileka Sinhala Harispaththuwa, Kandy News reporter and photographer

1988 October 2 Henry Pamunuwa Sinhala Maharagama, Colombo Journalist and Print composer - Aththa

1988 October 3 T B Wijesuriya Sinhala Polpithigama, Kurunegala Artist and political activist

1988 October 19 J E Gunasekera Sinhala Habarakada, Homagama Writer, author, translator and political activist;

1988 October 22 Padmasiri Threemavithana Sinhala Ratnapura Writer - Veda Sisu Handa, upcoming poet and artist

1988 November 23 Nelson Karunaratne Sinhala Galewela, Matale News Reporter

1988 December 2 H E Dayananda Sinhala Slave Island, Colombo Journalist - Divaina and Political activist

1988 December N C M Ismail Muslim Valaichchinai Journalist - Veerakesari and Thinakaran

1988 June/July Kandiah Kandasamy Tamil Jaffna Owner - Satruday Review and Lawyer

1988 November 17 D M D Chandravimala Sinhala Kaduwela, Colombo Journalist and Political activist

1988 S Selvarajah Tamil Jaffna Special Reporter - Thinakkural

1989 January 24 D N S Pathirana Sinhala Kolonnawa, Colombo Proof Redaer - Haraya and Political activist

1989 January 25 Ananda Navaratna, his father and 3 brothers Sinhala Kandy Editor - Haraya), Literary Critic, Poet and Political Activist

1989 February 9 B M Weerakoon Bandara Sinhala Madahapola, Kurunegala Cultural activist

1989 February 11 N G Premaratne (Upali) Sinhala Yapahuwa, Kurunegala Street Drama Artist

1989 February 11 Sarath Seneviratne Sinhala Yapahuwa, Kurunegala Street Drama Artist

1989 February 11 J A Maithreepala Jayaweera Sinhala Yapahuwa, Kurunegala Street Drama Artist

1989 March 6 Gamini Senaka Bandara Sinhala Talwatta, Ambalangoda Journalist - Gini Pupura, Cultural and Political activist

1989 March 24 K Thanabalasinham Tamil Nallur, Jaffna Free lance journalist

1989 March Sunil Navaratne Sinhala Matara Journaist - Haraya and Political activist

1989 April 22 Wijesiri Nanayakkara Sinhala Mathugama News Reporter

1989 May 11 V Mahalingam Tamil Nelliadi, Jaffna Regional reporter - Island and Attorney at Law

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1989 May 27 P D Wimalasena Sinhala Piliyandala, Colombo Manager, Star Press (LSSP)

1989 June 4 Ivan Jayasekera Sinhala Maharagama, Colombo Regional journalist and Political activist

1989 July 23 Themis Guruge Sinhala Narahenpita, Colombo Competent Authority for Media under Emergency Law and SLRC and Chair and Director General, SLBC

1989 July 31 Premakeerthi de Alwis Sinhala Homagama, Colombo Journalsit, Lyricist and News and Program Producer SLBC

1989 August 11 Kulasiri Amaratunga Sinhala Mount Lavinia, Colombo News Editor - SLRC

1989 August 21 Jinasena Kasthuriarachchi Sinhala Tangalle News Reporter - Tangalle

1989 September 18 Sagarika Thomas Sinhala Colombo Journalist SLRC, singer and actress

1989 September 21 Rajini Rajasinham Thiranagama Tamil Jaffna Writer and Free lance journalist

1989 November 6 I Shanmugalingam Tamil Ariyalai, Jaffna Journalist - Viduthalai (previously of Eelanadu, Murasoli and Eelamurasu)

1989 R D Pitawela Sinhala Pitawela, Badulla Newspaper seller -Kamkaru Mawatha and Political activist

1989 Sarath Chandraratne Sinhala Ma-Eliya, Yapahuwa Musician, Vocalist and Political activist

1989 M Amirthalingam Tamil Jaffna Managing Director and Owner - Murasoli

1989 M Navaratnam Tamil Telippalai, Jaffna Journalist - Eelamurasu and Murasoli and teacher

1990 January 27 Laxman Perera Sinhala Dehiwala, Colombo Drama producer associated with Richard de Soyza ('Who is he? What does he do?')

1990 January Upali Gamage (Mahanama) Sinhala Kottawa, Colombo Editor - 'Vedi Handa'; Student activist

1990 February 18 Richard de Zoysa Sinhala Colombo Journalist - SLRC) and Actor

1990 August 11 A Tamil poet related to a Muslim family Tamil Eravur, Batticaloa, EP Tamil Poet

1990 September 6 Kumaraguru Kuhamoorthy Tamil Colombo Journalist - Saturday Review and Activist (MIRJE)

1990 September 17 Athula Senaratne Sinhala Colombo Editor - 'Veda Sisu Handa' and Student activist

1990 September 27 Sona Pathmanathan Sinhala Nallur, Jaffna Journalsit - Uthayan

1990 December 26 Ahamed Lebbe Muslim Valachchenai, EP Writer, Director of Education, and AGA Batticaloa

1990 U L Daood Muslim Eravur, EP Free lance journalist, Writer - Muslim Kadai Malar and Principal

1991 February 21 Velupillai Anandan Tamil PudukudiIrullu, EP Tamil and Malayali Writer and Literary Critic

1991 May 17 Soosapillai Norbert aka Dominique (Francis Xavier) Tamil Kokuvil, Jaffna Journalist - Thipori (formerly of Thinakarai and Theerthakkarai), Writer and political activist (formerly of PLOTE)

1991 August 26 Selvanithi Thyagarajah (Selvi) Tamil Jaffna Journalist -Tholi, Drama Produer and Literary Critic; awarded 'Freedom of Expression' by International Pen.

1991 August 26 S Thillainathan Tamil Jaffna Cultural Activist involved with Selvi

1991 August 26 K Manoharan Tamil Ariyalai, Jaffna Cultural Activist involved with Selvi and collaborated with UTHR

1993 May 2 Antony Quintus Fernando Sinhala Maradana, Colombo Regional Reporter - Gnanartha Pradeepa (Catholic Church)

1994 May 1 A Sabhalingam Tamil Paris, France Free lance journalist -Thyayagam, Writer and Previous Political activist ('Ilangngar Peravai' TULF)

1994 December 3 Kanakaratnam Sriskantharajah (Rajah) Tamil Borella, Colombo Broadcaster and program producer - Makkal Kural, SLBC

1995 April 29 Karunaratna Saputantri Sinhala Sri Lanka Journalist - Silumina, Lake House

1995 April 29 Kirama Piyasoma Sinhala Sri Lanka Journalist - Silumina, Lake House

1995 April 29 Edwin Weerasinha Sinhala Sri Lanka Photographer - Lake House

1995 August 30 S S Ganeshapillai (Varani Yuran) Tamil Maradana, Colombo Radio journalist and Radio artist

1996 July 28 Sudeepa Purnajith Sinhala Dehiwela, Colombo Graphic designer, Cartoonist and Artist - Lake House

1996 October 26 Kandiah Gajendran (Gajan) Tamil Lasabbelle, North of Paris Editor - Eelamurasu publsihed in Paris

1997 October 3 Thirunavukarasu Tharmalingam (Dharmalingam) Tamil Colomputhurai, Jaffna Newspaper agent, JPUM and Political activist

1998 September 29 Sashie Krishnakumar Tamil Sri Lanka Free lance journalsit - Yukthiya, Eelanadu, Virakesari, Thinakaran and Literary critic

1999 September 7 Rohana Kumara Sinhala Mirihana, Nugegoda Chief Editor - Daily Satana (formerly of 'Gindara' - Fire)

1999 November 2 Atputharajah Nadarajah (Ramesh) Tamil Wellawatte, Colombo Editor of the Tamil daily Thinamurusu of the EPDP

1999 December 18 Indika Pathinivasan Sinhala Colombo TV Technician, Sirasa - Maharaja Television Network

1999 December 18 Anura Priyantha Cooray Sinhala Colombo TV Technician, Independent Television Network

1999 December 31 Vasthian Anthony Mariyadas Tamil Vavuniya Free lance rado artist assigned to the SLBC

2000 September 16 A M Nihamathulla Muslim Sri Lanka News Reporter - Thinakaran) and Media Secretary to Minister H M Ashroff

2000 September 20 Selian Perinpanayagam Tamil Pandirippu, Kalmunai Regional journalist - SLBC, President - East Lanka Journalists Association and Writer

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2000 October 19 Mylvahanam Nimalarajan (Nimale) Tamil Jaffna Journalist - BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya and Suriyan FM

2004 May 31 Aiyathurai Nadesan Tamil BatticaloaNews Reporter and political analyst - Virakesari, Vice President - Journalists Union in the East and Comittee Member - Sri Lanka Tamil Journalists Association. He was awarded Literary Award for the North and East and recognised the Best Tamil Journalist in Year 2000.

2004 July 26 S. Kamaladasan Tamil Thinamurasu

2004 August 16 Kandasamy Aiyar Balanadarajah (Sinnabala, Ambi Magal, Irayaran) Tamil Wellawatte, Colombo Journalist - Thinamurasu and Thinakaran and Media Secretary - EPDP

2004 December 11 Lanka Jayasundara Sinhala Colombo Journalist - Lankadeepa, Vijaya, Sirikatha and Tharunaya

2005 March 6 Sathasivam Kamalanathan Tamil Thinamurasu

2005 April 28 Dharmeratnam Sivaram (Taraki) Tamil Colombo Editor - TamilNet, political and war analyst and Journalist - Daily Mirror, Virakesari and Island. Awarded the 'Best Journalist' award for popularity

2005 July 29 Arasakumar Kannamuthu (Bobby) Tamil Matupola, Kalmunai Newspaper Agent and associated with 'Eelanatham'

2005 August 12 Relangi Selvarajah Tamil Colombo Senior broadcaster - SLRC (Uthaya Darshanam) and SLBC

2005 August 29 David Selvaratnam Tamil Grandpass, Colombo Security Officer, Sudaroli

2005 September 30 Yogakumar Krishnapillai Tamil Batticaloa Eelanatham

2005 December 2 A L M Faleel (Natpittimunai Faleel) Muslim Kaththankudi, EP Free lance journalist - Virakesari, Thinakkural, Thinakaran and Writer

2005 December 23 Krishnan Navaratnam Tamil Jaffna Salesperson - Yaal Thinakkural

2006 January 24 Subramaniyam Sugirtharajan Tamil Uvarmalai, Trincomalee News Reporter Trincomalee - Sudar Oli; Reported the shooting to death of five students in the proximity of the Navy camp -Trincomalee.

2006 February 1 S T Gananathan Tamil Ariyalai, Jaffna Sponsor - Tamil News and Information Centre

2006 May 2 Bastian George Sagayathas (Suresh) Tamil Kasthuriar Rd, Jaffna Sales Manager - Uthayan

2006 May 2 Rajarathnam Ranjith Kumar Tamil Kasthuriar Rd, Jaffna Media assistant - Uthayan

2006 May 27 Nihal de Silva Sinhala Wilpaththu, Anuradhapura Writer and literary Activist

2006 July 2 Sampath Lakmal de Silva Sinhala Boralesgamuwa, Colombo Freelance journalist

2006 July 27 Mariathas Manojanraj Tamil Achchuveli, Jaffna Distributor - Thinakural and Veerakesari

2006 August 2 Pathmanathan Vishamananthan Tamil Navalar Rd, Jaffna Musician, singer and compere - 'Angaran'

2006 August 15 Sathasivam Baskaran Tamil Puththur Jn, Achchuveli NP Distributor - Uthayan

2006 August 21 Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah Tamil Telippalai, Jaffna Managing Director - Namathu Eelanadu; Director - Tamil News and Information Centre

2007 February 12 S Raveendran Tamil Kopay, Jaffna Night Manager - Namadi Eelanadu

2007 February 15 Subramaniam Ramachandran Tamil Karaveddi, Vadamarachchi News Reporter - Yaal Thinakkural and Valampuri

2007 February 27 S. T. Gananathan Tamil Jaffna

2007 April 16 Subash Chandrabose Tamil Vavuniya Editor - Nilam, journalsit - 'Tamil World' and Printing Press owner

2007 April 29 Selvarajah Rajivarnam Tamil Navalar Rd, Jaffna Staff Journalist - Uthayan

2007 August 1 Nilakshan Sahapavan or Sahadevan Tamil Kokuvil, Jaffna Editor - 'Shalaram' or 'Calare'

2007 November 5 Anthonypillai Sherin Siththyranjan Tamil Eesalai, Palali, Jaffna Media assistant - Yaal Thinakkural

2007 November 17 Vadivel Nimalarajah Tamil Navalar Rd, Jaffna Night proof reader - Uthayan

2007 November 27 Isaivizhi Chempiyan (Suhajinee) Tamil Kokuvil, Kiliniochchi Radio Announcer - Voice of Tigers

2007 November 27 Suresh Linbiyo Tamil Kokuvil, Kiliniochchi Technical Assistant - Voice of Tigers

2007 November 27 T. Tharmalingam Tamil Kokuvil, Kiliniochchi Engineer - Voice of Tigers

2007 December 5 W Gunasinha Sinhala Kabilithigollawa, Anuradhapura News Reporter - Divaina

2008 May 28 Paranirupasingham (or Pararajasinham) Devakumar Tamil Kallundai, Jaffna Jaffna District Reporter, Shakthi TV and Radio

2008 October 26 Mohamed Maharoof Rashmi (Rashmi Maharoof) Muslim Anuradhapura Anuradhapura Reporter - Sirasa and Media activist - 'Rajarata Madhyavediyo'

2009 January 8 Lasantha Wickramatunga Sinhala Colombo editor-in-chief - Sunday Leader

2009 February Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy Tamil Mullaitheevu Freelance journalist

Gunasena Kasturiarachchi Sinhala Dickwella

Nagalingam Thiyagarajah Tamil Batticaloa Journalist

K P Upasena Sinhala Marketing and Distribution of Newspapers

I C Fernando Sinhala Manikhinna, Kandy Distribution of Newspapers

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Acknowledgements

1. Free Media Movement – Sri Lanka2. Reporters without borders3. Committee to Protect Journalists4. Reuters5. Associated Press and6. The Institute for Further Education of Journalists

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Thank you

People for Human Rights & Equality (PHRE) and Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC)

Human rights and media freedom in sri lanka

News & Politics

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