Shame! Is this the “New Society” our self proclaimed “Maha Rajaano” is creating?
Posted by Ajith on June 2, 2009
A Sri Lankan journalist is in hospital after being abducted and beaten by unidentified attackers.
Poddala Jayantha received head and leg injuries in the attack near his home in the Colombo suburb of Nugegoda.
Mr Jayantha campaigns for media freedom and is seen by government supporters as an opponent of the authorities.
Critics in Sri Lanka’s local media have come under extreme pressure in the past few years. Several independent journalists have been killed.
Mr Jayantha, the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, was kidnapped on Monday while he was walking near his home on the outskirts of the capital.
His colleagues say a group of men bundled him into a white van and severely beat him up.
They also cut his beard and hair before leaving the injured journalist in a suburban area, the BBC’s Anbarasan Ethirajan reports.
Doctors at Colombo National Hospital said his injuries were not life threatening.
Police say no arrests have been made so far.
BBC correspondents say Poddala Jayantha was named by government politicians as an anti-government campaigner who had been instrumental in tarnishing the name of the government.
As a result of earlier threats and intimidation – which included an armed group trying to kidnap him from his residence – Mr Jayantha spent a brief period abroad, returning to Sri Lanka only a few weeks ago.
The government is facing mounting criticism from press freedom groups for what they say is a failure to protect journalists from attacks and for the lack of prosecutions against those who do so, our correspondent says.
Earlier this year, the government told parliament that nine journalists had been killed and more than 25 assaulted since the beginning of 2006.
Amnesty International says at least 20 journalists have fled the country because of death threats.
Media rights groups say Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.
(Report from BBC and the photo from Daily Mirror.)
Anonymous said
Well the self proclaimed “KING” of our country is quite good at brainwashing the ignorant citizens, as we all know with the help of the Gov. media. THe Sudu van syndrome hasn’t ceased with the war apparently its not only meant for Tamils but also for the so called non patriots, since there are no minorities according to the KING.LOL
Sad truth is the slow deterioration of Democracy in this country, KING has aligned himself up with the communist countries seeking their support & aid. The UNP with their internal party issues is not the greatest of opposition parties anymore! As we read all over the papers anyone who dares to raise their voice against the KING AND HIS BAND OF COURT JESTERS are eliminated from the picture. A country without a voice , that’s what he wants he seems to be getting it. Unless the opposition builds itself up to become a force to reckoned with, our country too will end up like Myanmar. Pro democracy people would be labeled as UNPATRIOTIC! WHAT WITH THE entire Rajapakse family acquiring the Ceylinco empire , in the future whole of Colombo will belong to them , then what would become of we the pro democrats? this is a fate worser than LTTE terrorism!!!!!!!!
What does the opposition plan to do about it????????????
thekillromeoproject said
“What does the opposition plan to do about it????????????”
WHAT OPPOSITION…??
Man said
very sad situation..
and as for “whats the opposition doing about this?” – well this is what they seems to be doing… copying from BBC and pasting on their blogs!!! now it appears that we have a “ruthless king” and a “spineless” opposition!!! wonder who’s gonna win…