Six months later, no sign of missing cartoonist

On Mar. 11, I wrote on this site about Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Sri Lankan journalist and cartoonist.  He’s been missing since leaving work on Jan. 24.  Amnesty Interrnational and other organizations (like the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders) have all expressed concern and have called on the Sri Lankan government to investigate his disappearance.

Well, it’s been six months since he disappeared and we haven’t seen any evidence of an effective investigation so far.  His wife, Sandhya Eknaligoda, has repeatedly said she holds the government responsible.  This past Saturday, she reportedly went to a famous Hindu temple and prayed for help in finding her husband, having lost faith in the Sri Lankan legal process.

The Sri Lankan government needs to live up to its responsibility here.  Please write to the government and ask that it conduct a proper, effective investigation into his disappearance and hold accountable those found responsible.  Thanks.

AIUSA welcomes a lively and courteous discussion that follow our Community Guidelines. Comments are not pre-screened before they post but AIUSA reserves the right to remove any comments violating our guidelines.

48 thoughts on “Six months later, no sign of missing cartoonist

  1. 184 days since Prageeth went missing,Lankaenews freelance journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda, who has been missing since the 24th of January.

    IFJ condemns death threats to journalist's family in Sri Lanka
    International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a media release Wednesday said that it is alarmed by threats made against the safety of the family of senior Sri Lankan journalist Gamini Pushpakumara. "We call upon the Sri Lankan police and security agencies to take immediate measures to investigate the source of the threats and to extend all necessary protection to Pushpakumara's family," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said. "Unfortunately, recent actions by the Sri Lankan authorities indicate that they remain disinclined to take action against the use of coercion and threats of violence that attempt to silence journalists who courageously speak the truth to power," the report said http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  2. Victims of ‘Expression Killings’ Sri Lanka http://www.lankanewsweb.com/EN_FEATURE/Expression

    Sri Lanka:
    34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
    APRIL 2004 – MARCH 2O09

    2004

    1. Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May

    2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August

    3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist/ 11 December

    2005

    4. Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April

    5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June

    6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August

    7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August

    8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September

    9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December

    10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker/ 22 December

    2006

    11. Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January

    12. S. T. Gananathan – Owner / 01 February

    13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May

    14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May

    15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July

    16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker/ 01 August

    17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August

    18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August

    19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August

    2007

    20. S. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February

    21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February

    22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April

    23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April

    24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August

    25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker/ 05 November

    26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker/ 17 November

    27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker/ 27 November

    28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media worker/ 27 November

    29. T. Tharmalingam – Media worker/ 27 November

    2008

    30. Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May

    31. Rashmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October

    2009

    32. Lasanntha Wickrematunge – Editor / 08 January

    33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February

    34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker/ 06 March

  3. 184 days since Prageeth went missing,Lankaenews freelance journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda, who has been missing since the 24th of January.

    IFJ condemns death threats to journalist's family in Sri Lanka
    International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a media release Wednesday said that it is alarmed by threats made against the safety of the family of senior Sri Lankan journalist Gamini Pushpakumara. "We call upon the Sri Lankan police and security agencies to take immediate measures to investigate the source of the threats and to extend all necessary protection to Pushpakumara's family," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said. "Unfortunately, recent actions by the Sri Lankan authorities indicate that they remain disinclined to take action against the use of coercion and threats of violence that attempt to silence journalists who courageously speak the truth to power," the report said http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  4. 184 days since Prageeth went missing,Lankaenews freelance journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda, who has been missing since the 24th of January.

    IFJ condemns death threats to journalist's family in Sri Lanka
    International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a media release Wednesday said that it is alarmed by threats made against the safety of the family of senior Sri Lankan journalist Gamini Pushpakumara. "We call upon the Sri Lankan police and security agencies to take immediate measures to investigate the source of the threats and to extend all necessary protection to Pushpakumara's family," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said. "Unfortunately, recent actions by the Sri Lankan authorities indicate that they remain disinclined to take action against the use of coercion and threats of violence that attempt to silence journalists who courageously speak the truth to power," the report said http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&art

  5. Victims of ‘Expression Killings’ Sri Lanka http://www.lankanewsweb.com/EN_FEATURE/Expression

    Sri Lanka:
    34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
    APRIL 2004 – MARCH 2O09

    2004

    1. Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May

    2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August

    3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist/ 11 December

    2005

    4. Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April

    5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June

    6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August

    7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August

    8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September

    9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December

    10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker/ 22 December

    2006

    11. Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January

    12. S. T. Gananathan – Owner / 01 February

    13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May

    14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May

    15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July

    16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker/ 01 August

    17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August

    18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August

    19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August

    2007

    20. S. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February

    21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February

    22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April

    23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April

    24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August

    25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker/ 05 November

    26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker/ 17 November

    27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker/ 27 November

    28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media worker/ 27 November

    29. T. Tharmalingam – Media worker/ 27 November

    2008

    30. Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May

    31. Rashmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October

    2009

    32. Lasanntha Wickrematunge – Editor / 08 January

    33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February

    34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker/ 06 March

  6. Victims of ‘Expression Killings’ Sri Lanka http://www.lankanewsweb.com/EN_FEATURE/Expression

    Sri Lanka:
    34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
    APRIL 2004 – MARCH 2O09

    2004

    1. Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May

    2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August

    3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist/ 11 December

    2005

    4. Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April

    5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June

    6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August

    7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August

    8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September

    9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December

    10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker/ 22 December

    2006

    11. Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January

    12. S. T. Gananathan – Owner / 01 February

    13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May

    14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May

    15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July

    16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker/ 01 August

    17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August

    18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August

    19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August

    2007

    20. S. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February

    21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February

    22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April

    23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April

    24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August

    25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker/ 05 November

    26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker/ 17 November

    27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker/ 27 November

    28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media worker/ 27 November

    29. T. Tharmalingam – Media worker/ 27 November

    2008

    30. Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May

    31. Rashmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October

    2009

    32. Lasanntha Wickrematunge – Editor / 08 January

    33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February

    34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker/ 06 March

  7. 184 days since Prageeth went missing,Lankaenews freelance journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda, who has been missing since the 24th of January.

    IFJ condemns death threats to journalist’s family in Sri Lanka
    International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in a media release Wednesday said that it is alarmed by threats made against the safety of the family of senior Sri Lankan journalist Gamini Pushpakumara. “We call upon the Sri Lankan police and security agencies to take immediate measures to investigate the source of the threats and to extend all necessary protection to Pushpakumara’s family,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said. “Unfortunately, recent actions by the Sri Lankan authorities indicate that they remain disinclined to take action against the use of coercion and threats of violence that attempt to silence journalists who courageously speak the truth to power,” the report said
    http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=32274

  8. Victims of ‘Expression Killings’ Sri Lanka
    http://www.lankanewsweb.com/EN_FEATURE/ExpressionKillings.html

    Sri Lanka:
    34 journalists and media workers killed during Rajapaksa brothers regime
    APRIL 2004 – MARCH 2O09

    2004

    1. Aiyathurai A. Nadesan – Journalist / 31 May

    2. Kandaswamy Aiyer Balanadaraj – Writer / 16 August

    3. Lanka Jayasundera – Photo journalist/ 11 December

    2005

    4. Dharmaratnam Sivaram – Editor / 28 April

    5. Kannamuttu Arsakumar – Media worker/ 29 June

    6. Relangee Selvarajah – Journalist / 12 August

    7. D. Selvaratnam – Media worker/ 29 August

    8. Yogakumar Krishnapillai – Media Worker / 30 September

    9. L. M. Faleel (Netpittimunai Faleel) – Writer / 02 December

    10. K. Navaratnam – Media worker/ 22 December

    2006

    11. Subramaniam Suhirtharajan – Journalist / 24 January

    12. S. T. Gananathan – Owner / 01 February

    13. Bastian George Sagayathas – Media worker / 03 May

    14. Rajaratnam Ranjith Kumar – Media worker / 03 May

    15. Sampath Lakmal de Silva – Journalist / 02 July

    16. Mariadasan Manojanraj – Media worker/ 01 August

    17. Pathmanathan Vismananthan – Singer and musician / 02 August

    18. Sathasivam Baskaran – Media worker / 15 August

    19. Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah – Media owner / 20 August

    2007

    20. S. Raveendran – Media worker / 12 February

    21. Subramaniam Ramachandran – Media personnel / 15 February

    22. Chandrabose Suthakar – Journalist / 16 April

    23. Selvarasah Rajeevarman – Journalist / 29 April

    24. Sahadevan Neelakshan – Journalist / 01 August

    25. Anthonypillai Sherin Siththiranjan – Media worker/ 05 November

    26. Vadivel Nimalarajah – Media worker/ 17 November

    27. Isaivizhi Chempian (Subhajini) – Media worker/ 27 November

    28. Suresh Limbiyo – Media worker/ 27 November

    29. T. Tharmalingam – Media worker/ 27 November

    2008

    30. Paranirupesingham Devakumar – Journalist / 28 May

    31. Rashmi Mohamad – Journalist / 06 October

    2009

    32. Lasanntha Wickrematunge – Editor / 08 January

    33. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy – Journalist / 12 February

    34. Sasi Mathan – Media worker/ 06 March

  9. Former army chief said
    “The protection of democracy must begin here in parliament,” General Fonseka told lawmakers after being escorted into the chamber by guards. “The citizens must have freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom from illegal detention. I’m also a victim of these injustices.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/

  10. Former army chief said
    “The protection of democracy must begin here in parliament,” General Fonseka told lawmakers after being escorted into the chamber by guards. “The citizens must have freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom from illegal detention. I’m also a victim of these injustices.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/

  11. Former army chief said
    “The protection of democracy must begin here in parliament,” General Fonseka told lawmakers after being escorted into the chamber by guards. “The citizens must have freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom from illegal detention. I’m also a victim of these injustices.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/

  12. Oh – welcome back Jim !!

    You have suddenly woken up from a long sleep I guess. Was worried – what happened during the past few weeks – I was left to wonder why there were no posts about Sri Lanka that AI so much enjoy and Hey presto – we get Pradeep Eknaligoda coming to the rescue of AI !!! Bravo !!

    You call for the government to be responsible and try find Pradeep for his beloved wife – Well, The government is trying it's best to find him too – still the fellow is missing somewhere in the Hey Stack… What to do ?? So, if the government is doing all it could to find Pradeep, Why start another useless post on this blog enabling the Apes of Eelam to copy and paste stuff from Tamilnet and other stupid web sites ????????????????????????????????

  13. IFJ Questions Government Moves on Media Ethics in Sri Lanka http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-questi

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned that Sri Lanka’s Government proposes to establish a body to examine the ethics of journalists, a move which stands to further impede media independence in the country.

    The Media Development Authority proposal comes as Sri Lankan media personnel mark six months since the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Lanka-e-News.com online reporter and cartoonist who disappeared on January 24, two days before the country’s presidential elections. Grave concerns are held for his welfare.

    The IFJ has joined its affiliates in Sri Lanka and international organisations in repeatedly calling on Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a proper investigation into Eknaligoda’s disappearance.

  14. IFJ Questions Government Moves on Media Ethics in Sri Lanka http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-questi

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned that Sri Lanka’s Government proposes to establish a body to examine the ethics of journalists, a move which stands to further impede media independence in the country.

    The Media Development Authority proposal comes as Sri Lankan media personnel mark six months since the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Lanka-e-News.com online reporter and cartoonist who disappeared on January 24, two days before the country’s presidential elections. Grave concerns are held for his welfare.

    The IFJ has joined its affiliates in Sri Lanka and international organisations in repeatedly calling on Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a proper investigation into Eknaligoda’s disappearance.

  15. IFJ Questions Government Moves on Media Ethics in Sri Lanka http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-questi

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned that Sri Lanka’s Government proposes to establish a body to examine the ethics of journalists, a move which stands to further impede media independence in the country.

    The Media Development Authority proposal comes as Sri Lankan media personnel mark six months since the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Lanka-e-News.com online reporter and cartoonist who disappeared on January 24, two days before the country’s presidential elections. Grave concerns are held for his welfare.

    The IFJ has joined its affiliates in Sri Lanka and international organisations in repeatedly calling on Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a proper investigation into Eknaligoda’s disappearance.

  16. Oh – welcome back Jim !!

    You have suddenly woken up from a long sleep I guess. Was worried – what happened during the past few weeks – I was left to wonder why there were no posts about Sri Lanka that AI so much enjoy and Hey presto – we get Pradeep Eknaligoda coming to the rescue of AI !!! Bravo !!

    You call for the government to be responsible and try find Pradeep for his beloved wife – Well, The government is trying it’s best to find him too – still the fellow is missing somewhere in the Hey Stack… What to do ?? So, if the government is doing all it could to find Pradeep, Why start another useless post on this blog enabling the Apes of Eelam to copy and paste stuff from Tamilnet and other stupid web sites ????????????????????????????????

  17. IFJ Questions Government Moves on Media Ethics in Sri Lanka
    http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/ifj-questions-government-moves-on-media-ethics-in-sri-lanka

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned that Sri Lanka’s Government proposes to establish a body to examine the ethics of journalists, a move which stands to further impede media independence in the country.

    The Media Development Authority proposal comes as Sri Lankan media personnel mark six months since the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Lanka-e-News.com online reporter and cartoonist who disappeared on January 24, two days before the country’s presidential elections. Grave concerns are held for his welfare.

    The IFJ has joined its affiliates in Sri Lanka and international organisations in repeatedly calling on Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a proper investigation into Eknaligoda’s disappearance.

  18. Media Development Authority: Another name for media control in Sri Lanka? http://www.groundviews.org/2010/07/28/media-devel

    Journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda went missing on the 24th of January, days after writing several critical articles regarding election malpractices by the Government. He remains missing to this day. Like him, hordes of journalists have been arrested, abducted, jailed, tortured and murdered for reporting the truth and expressing dissenting views. Some have been returned to their families. Others, like Ekaneligoda, have simply vanished without a trace, leaving their families with the horror of not knowing whether to hope or grieve.

    These attacks are not simply hits against the media. They are a direct violation of our rights: the right to know the truth of what is out there, the right to ask questions of those who should answer to us, and the right to simply have a different point of view.

    For every voice that is silenced, more must shoulder their burden, wear their courage and take their place to end this cycle of insidious violence.

  19. Media Development Authority: Another name for media control in Sri Lanka? http://www.groundviews.org/2010/07/28/media-devel

    Journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda went missing on the 24th of January, days after writing several critical articles regarding election malpractices by the Government. He remains missing to this day. Like him, hordes of journalists have been arrested, abducted, jailed, tortured and murdered for reporting the truth and expressing dissenting views. Some have been returned to their families. Others, like Ekaneligoda, have simply vanished without a trace, leaving their families with the horror of not knowing whether to hope or grieve.

    These attacks are not simply hits against the media. They are a direct violation of our rights: the right to know the truth of what is out there, the right to ask questions of those who should answer to us, and the right to simply have a different point of view.

    For every voice that is silenced, more must shoulder their burden, wear their courage and take their place to end this cycle of insidious violence.

  20. Media Development Authority: Another name for media control in Sri Lanka? http://www.groundviews.org/2010/07/28/media-devel

    Journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda went missing on the 24th of January, days after writing several critical articles regarding election malpractices by the Government. He remains missing to this day. Like him, hordes of journalists have been arrested, abducted, jailed, tortured and murdered for reporting the truth and expressing dissenting views. Some have been returned to their families. Others, like Ekaneligoda, have simply vanished without a trace, leaving their families with the horror of not knowing whether to hope or grieve.

    These attacks are not simply hits against the media. They are a direct violation of our rights: the right to know the truth of what is out there, the right to ask questions of those who should answer to us, and the right to simply have a different point of view.

    For every voice that is silenced, more must shoulder their burden, wear their courage and take their place to end this cycle of insidious violence.

  21. Media Development Authority: Another name for media control in Sri Lanka?
    http://www.groundviews.org/2010/07/28/media-development-authority-another-name-for-media-control-in-sri-lanka/

    Journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda went missing on the 24th of January, days after writing several critical articles regarding election malpractices by the Government. He remains missing to this day. Like him, hordes of journalists have been arrested, abducted, jailed, tortured and murdered for reporting the truth and expressing dissenting views. Some have been returned to their families. Others, like Ekaneligoda, have simply vanished without a trace, leaving their families with the horror of not knowing whether to hope or grieve.

    These attacks are not simply hits against the media. They are a direct violation of our rights: the right to know the truth of what is out there, the right to ask questions of those who should answer to us, and the right to simply have a different point of view.

    For every voice that is silenced, more must shoulder their burden, wear their courage and take their place to end this cycle of insidious violence.

  22. Why look for Eknaligoda or any Cartoonist for that matter when we have a whole bunch of Cartoon characters come alive at Amnesty – LOL ??

    I see this as another pathetic attempt by Amnesty crowd to start some kind of a messy discussion about Sri Lanka.

    I saw your article on Thissanayagam, where you wanted him released. But, once he was released, did any of you cartoon characters have the decency to thank the people who released him ?? – Think about it Mr. Jim Mc Daffy Duck !

  23. Why look for Eknaligoda or any Cartoonist for that matter when we have a whole bunch of Cartoon characters come alive at Amnesty – LOL ??

    I see this as another pathetic attempt by Amnesty crowd to start some kind of a messy discussion about Sri Lanka.

    I saw your article on Thissanayagam, where you wanted him released. But, once he was released, did any of you cartoon characters have the decency to thank the people who released him ?? – Think about it Mr. Jim Mc Daffy Duck !

  24. Attacks against media continue unabated http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/srilanka

    The pre-dawn attack on Siyatha television channel has once again raised questions about the safety of independent journalists and private news enterprises in Sri Lanka. A group of heavily armed men attacked the Siyatha channel’s office early Friday, ransacking it and exploding petrol bombs on their way out. The ensuing fire gutted the channel’s news and control rooms. The attack took place in a well patrolled part of the city. The Daily Mirror newspaper’s editorial pointed out how brazenly it was carried out. “…Hunupitiya Lake Road is too central for an ordinary gang to come in two vehicles, assault the employees and bomb the place and get away scot-free,’’

  25. Hidden Hand Behind Siyatha Attack http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/08/01/hidden-h
    Kariyapperuma, Sangeetha Weeraratne told The Sunday Leader, “We have not gone against the government or the opposition. Our news has always been unbiased and impartial. There is no reason to believe that any one would want to harm us.”
    However, she said that the company suspected a hidden hand of a would-be competitor behind Friday’s attack. “Definitely not anyone who is already established – but someone new,” she said, refusing however, to name any person or persons.

  26. Attacks against media continue unabated http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/srilanka

    The pre-dawn attack on Siyatha television channel has once again raised questions about the safety of independent journalists and private news enterprises in Sri Lanka. A group of heavily armed men attacked the Siyatha channel’s office early Friday, ransacking it and exploding petrol bombs on their way out. The ensuing fire gutted the channel’s news and control rooms. The attack took place in a well patrolled part of the city. The Daily Mirror newspaper’s editorial pointed out how brazenly it was carried out. “…Hunupitiya Lake Road is too central for an ordinary gang to come in two vehicles, assault the employees and bomb the place and get away scot-free,’’

  27. Attacks against media continue unabated http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/srilanka

    The pre-dawn attack on Siyatha television channel has once again raised questions about the safety of independent journalists and private news enterprises in Sri Lanka. A group of heavily armed men attacked the Siyatha channel’s office early Friday, ransacking it and exploding petrol bombs on their way out. The ensuing fire gutted the channel’s news and control rooms. The attack took place in a well patrolled part of the city. The Daily Mirror newspaper’s editorial pointed out how brazenly it was carried out. “…Hunupitiya Lake Road is too central for an ordinary gang to come in two vehicles, assault the employees and bomb the place and get away scot-free,’’

  28. Hidden Hand Behind Siyatha Attack http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/08/01/hidden-h
    Kariyapperuma, Sangeetha Weeraratne told The Sunday Leader, “We have not gone against the government or the opposition. Our news has always been unbiased and impartial. There is no reason to believe that any one would want to harm us.”
    However, she said that the company suspected a hidden hand of a would-be competitor behind Friday’s attack. “Definitely not anyone who is already established – but someone new,” she said, refusing however, to name any person or persons.

  29. Hidden Hand Behind Siyatha Attack http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/08/01/hidden-h
    Kariyapperuma, Sangeetha Weeraratne told The Sunday Leader, “We have not gone against the government or the opposition. Our news has always been unbiased and impartial. There is no reason to believe that any one would want to harm us.”
    However, she said that the company suspected a hidden hand of a would-be competitor behind Friday’s attack. “Definitely not anyone who is already established – but someone new,” she said, refusing however, to name any person or persons.

  30. Attacks against media continue unabated
    http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/srilanka/Attacks-against-media-continue-unabated/Article1-580141.aspx

    The pre-dawn attack on Siyatha television channel has once again raised questions about the safety of independent journalists and private news enterprises in Sri Lanka. A group of heavily armed men attacked the Siyatha channel’s office early Friday, ransacking it and exploding petrol bombs on their way out. The ensuing fire gutted the channel’s news and control rooms. The attack took place in a well patrolled part of the city. The Daily Mirror newspaper’s editorial pointed out how brazenly it was carried out. “…Hunupitiya Lake Road is too central for an ordinary gang to come in two vehicles, assault the employees and bomb the place and get away scot-free,’’

  31. Hidden Hand Behind Siyatha Attack
    http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/08/01/hidden-hand-behind-siyatha-attack/
    Kariyapperuma, Sangeetha Weeraratne told The Sunday Leader, “We have not gone against the government or the opposition. Our news has always been unbiased and impartial. There is no reason to believe that any one would want to harm us.”
    However, she said that the company suspected a hidden hand of a would-be competitor behind Friday’s attack. “Definitely not anyone who is already established – but someone new,” she said, refusing however, to name any person or persons.

  32. What kind of peace is this in Sri Lanka?

    Still the Rajapakse government keeps thousands of Tamils in secret camps and hundreds of Tamil women with children are being kept in prisons for many years without any indictment.

    How long will the Sinhalese government keep all these Tamils in camps and prisons?

    For what reason?

    Peace for the Sinhalese only?

    What a shame! 🙁

  33. I think, that this Tamil only registration is an ethnic profiling !!

    Why are they registered twice in 3 years ?

    ———————————————————

    An elderly Tamil man who born and brought up in Colombo and he has no other place to call his own and has lived all his life in there.

    Last month he had been told by the police to reregister himself and his family members with the police, the second time in past three years he had to undergo the humiliating procedure.

    Earlier in 2008, he was rudely woken up and dragged to Wellawatta police station in the night and kept waiting for hours till cops wrote down his family information.

    That was at the height of the war.

    He asks: “But, why this time… when the war is over?

    That is the question of a thousand Tamils.

    This still the mind numbing question is why now — 14 months after the end of the war? And, if the program is to register all citizens, which is still bad and smacks

    Why is it only in Tamil majority areas that the registration of people is taking place?

  34. What kind of peace is this in Sri Lanka?

    Still the Rajapakse government keeps thousands of Tamils in secret camps and hundreds of Tamil women with children are being kept in prisons for many years without any indictment.

    How long will the Sinhalese government keep all these Tamils in camps and prisons?

    For what reason?

    Peace for the Sinhalese only?

    What a shame! 🙁

  35. I think, that this Tamil only registration is an ethnic profiling !!

    Why are they registered twice in 3 years ?

    ———————————————————

    An elderly Tamil man who born and brought up in Colombo and he has no other place to call his own and has lived all his life in there.

    Last month he had been told by the police to reregister himself and his family members with the police, the second time in past three years he had to undergo the humiliating procedure.

    Earlier in 2008, he was rudely woken up and dragged to Wellawatta police station in the night and kept waiting for hours till cops wrote down his family information.

    That was at the height of the war.

    He asks: “But, why this time… when the war is over?

    That is the question of a thousand Tamils.

    This still the mind numbing question is why now — 14 months after the end of the war? And, if the program is to register all citizens, which is still bad and smacks

    Why is it only in Tamil majority areas that the registration of people is taking place?

  36. Govt. ‘trying to change’ demography
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/08/1

    TNA says the displaced are ordered to leave their ancestral lands after few days
    The major Tamil political party in Sri Lanka has accused the government of trying to change the demography in the north taken over by the military following the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels over a year ago.
    “Displaced people are not allowed to resettle in their ancestral lands,’ says the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

    The TNA also accused the government of breaching pledges made to India and the international community over resettling internally displaced people (IDP).

    IDPs from Shanthipuram in Kilinochchi district and Murugandi and Hindupuram in Mullaitivu district were not allowed by the authorities to resettle in their ancestral lands, claimed the TNA.

    Pledges to India

    “Sometimes they are allowed visits to their lands but are ordered back to the camps in a day or two,” MA Sumanthiran, MP, told journalists.

    The MP says that Mullaitivu GA was ordered not to resettle IDPs

    He said it is a violation of the pledges given by Mahinda Rajapaksa government to India and other international bodies.

    Suresh Premachandran, MP, said nearly 75 percent of the affected IDPs are Tamils of Indian origin who were chased away from the upcountry in 1977 and 1983 racial riots.

    The parliamentarian said that Government Agent in Mullaitivu has received written orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) not to resettle any IDP in the areas.

    The TNA accused the government of carrying on a ‘land grab policy’ in order to establish military camps.

    Government response

    “In Mullikulam, Mannar, for example, 400 acres are taken by the navy,” Mr. Premachandran said.

    The minister denies that it is on a land grabbing exercise in the north

    Another 4000 acres in Murukandy are taken over for an army camp, he said.

    Mr. Sumanthiran who recalled a statement by the military chief of plans to establish special villages in the north for predominantly Sinhala military families, questioned whether the intention of the government is to change the demography in the north historically inhabited by Tamils.

  37. Govt. ‘trying to change’ demography
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/08/1

    TNA says the displaced are ordered to leave their ancestral lands after few days
    The major Tamil political party in Sri Lanka has accused the government of trying to change the demography in the north taken over by the military following the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels over a year ago.
    “Displaced people are not allowed to resettle in their ancestral lands,’ says the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

    The TNA also accused the government of breaching pledges made to India and the international community over resettling internally displaced people (IDP).

    IDPs from Shanthipuram in Kilinochchi district and Murugandi and Hindupuram in Mullaitivu district were not allowed by the authorities to resettle in their ancestral lands, claimed the TNA.

    Pledges to India

    “Sometimes they are allowed visits to their lands but are ordered back to the camps in a day or two,” MA Sumanthiran, MP, told journalists.

    The MP says that Mullaitivu GA was ordered not to resettle IDPs

    He said it is a violation of the pledges given by Mahinda Rajapaksa government to India and other international bodies.

    Suresh Premachandran, MP, said nearly 75 percent of the affected IDPs are Tamils of Indian origin who were chased away from the upcountry in 1977 and 1983 racial riots.

    The parliamentarian said that Government Agent in Mullaitivu has received written orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) not to resettle any IDP in the areas.

    The TNA accused the government of carrying on a ‘land grab policy’ in order to establish military camps.

    Government response

    “In Mullikulam, Mannar, for example, 400 acres are taken by the navy,” Mr. Premachandran said.

    The minister denies that it is on a land grabbing exercise in the north

    Another 4000 acres in Murukandy are taken over for an army camp, he said.

    Mr. Sumanthiran who recalled a statement by the military chief of plans to establish special villages in the north for predominantly Sinhala military families, questioned whether the intention of the government is to change the demography in the north historically inhabited by Tamils.

  38. Govt. ‘trying to change’ demography
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/08/1

    TNA says the displaced are ordered to leave their ancestral lands after few days
    The major Tamil political party in Sri Lanka has accused the government of trying to change the demography in the north taken over by the military following the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels over a year ago.
    “Displaced people are not allowed to resettle in their ancestral lands,’ says the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

    The TNA also accused the government of breaching pledges made to India and the international community over resettling internally displaced people (IDP).

    IDPs from Shanthipuram in Kilinochchi district and Murugandi and Hindupuram in Mullaitivu district were not allowed by the authorities to resettle in their ancestral lands, claimed the TNA.

    Pledges to India

    “Sometimes they are allowed visits to their lands but are ordered back to the camps in a day or two,” MA Sumanthiran, MP, told journalists.

    The MP says that Mullaitivu GA was ordered not to resettle IDPs

    He said it is a violation of the pledges given by Mahinda Rajapaksa government to India and other international bodies.

    Suresh Premachandran, MP, said nearly 75 percent of the affected IDPs are Tamils of Indian origin who were chased away from the upcountry in 1977 and 1983 racial riots.

    The parliamentarian said that Government Agent in Mullaitivu has received written orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) not to resettle any IDP in the areas.

    The TNA accused the government of carrying on a ‘land grab policy’ in order to establish military camps.

    Government response

    “In Mullikulam, Mannar, for example, 400 acres are taken by the navy,” Mr. Premachandran said.

    The minister denies that it is on a land grabbing exercise in the north

    Another 4000 acres in Murukandy are taken over for an army camp, he said.

    Mr. Sumanthiran who recalled a statement by the military chief of plans to establish special villages in the north for predominantly Sinhala military families, questioned whether the intention of the government is to change the demography in the north historically inhabited by Tamils.

  39. Govt. ‘trying to change’ demography

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/08/100802_north_resettlement.shtml

    TNA says the displaced are ordered to leave their ancestral lands after few days
    The major Tamil political party in Sri Lanka has accused the government of trying to change the demography in the north taken over by the military following the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels over a year ago.
    “Displaced people are not allowed to resettle in their ancestral lands,’ says the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

    The TNA also accused the government of breaching pledges made to India and the international community over resettling internally displaced people (IDP).

    IDPs from Shanthipuram in Kilinochchi district and Murugandi and Hindupuram in Mullaitivu district were not allowed by the authorities to resettle in their ancestral lands, claimed the TNA.

    Pledges to India

    “Sometimes they are allowed visits to their lands but are ordered back to the camps in a day or two,” MA Sumanthiran, MP, told journalists.

    The MP says that Mullaitivu GA was ordered not to resettle IDPs

    He said it is a violation of the pledges given by Mahinda Rajapaksa government to India and other international bodies.

    Suresh Premachandran, MP, said nearly 75 percent of the affected IDPs are Tamils of Indian origin who were chased away from the upcountry in 1977 and 1983 racial riots.

    The parliamentarian said that Government Agent in Mullaitivu has received written orders from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) not to resettle any IDP in the areas.

    The TNA accused the government of carrying on a ‘land grab policy’ in order to establish military camps.

    Government response

    “In Mullikulam, Mannar, for example, 400 acres are taken by the navy,” Mr. Premachandran said.

    The minister denies that it is on a land grabbing exercise in the north

    Another 4000 acres in Murukandy are taken over for an army camp, he said.

    Mr. Sumanthiran who recalled a statement by the military chief of plans to establish special villages in the north for predominantly Sinhala military families, questioned whether the intention of the government is to change the demography in the north historically inhabited by Tamils.

  40. Nediyavan, Norwegian Tamil was gravely wounded by Rajapaksa paid thugs and is currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit

    Rajapaksa is killing the Tamil Diaspora

    We all have to be united against the Rajapaksa

  41. Nediyavan, Norwegian Tamil was gravely wounded by Rajapaksa paid thugs and is currently being treated in the Intensive Care Unit

    Rajapaksa is killing the Tamil Diaspora

    We all have to be united against the Rajapaksa

  42. Global Action on Missing Sri Lankan Journalist

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) extends its support to the protest planned for August 10 by the Alliance of Media Organisations in Sri Lanka, to mark 200 days since the disappearance of cartoonist and columnist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

    The protest (or satyagraha) and a seminar will be held in Colombo to urge the authorities fully investigate the whereabouts of Eknaligoda.

    The IFJ calls upon its affiliates worldwide to show solidarity by contacting their local Sri Lankan missions to express their concerns at the police and security agencies’ failure to trace the missing journalist.

    “The IFJ calls upon authorities in Sri Lanka to show a greater sense of purpose over this case,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

    “Statements from official agencies, including the police and the Ministry for Information, have been far from reassuring, since they have invariably failed to deliver on promises that information about Eknaligoda’s whereabouts would be made available.

    “Further, there have been suggestions from official agencies dismissing Eknaligoda’s disappearance as possibly self-staged.”

    A habeas corpus petition filed by Eknaligoda’s family is pending in the Colombo High Court. Six hearings have been held, most recently on July 21. Early hearings were adjourned because the bench was purportedly not up to full strength to hear a case of this nature. It was only after the third hearing that the bench of two judges began to deal substantively with the case.

    At the fifth hearing, police assured the court that they would have some information available by the sixth hearing. But the police failed to turn up at the hearing on July 21. The judge ordered that notice be sent to them again. The next hearing is scheduled for September.

    Reportedly, Eknaligoda was last seen by the staff of Lanka-e-News (www.lankaenews.com), the news portal where he worked on a freelance basis, as he left the office about 8.30 pm on January 24.

    Polls were scheduled to open in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections less than 36 hours later.

    As he left, Eknaligoda reportedly had phone contact with a friend. He expressed his inability to meet the friend since he had already taken a three-wheeler taxi towards meeting another friend. The identity of the person he was going to meet remains unknown.

    The police have not revealed the call records from Eknaligoda’s phone or managed to trace his cell phone.

    Eknaligoda was a cartoonist with the state-owned Lake House group of newspapers for long and resigned in 1996, reportedly because he came under pressure after defying a request from the then President to do a cartoon ridiculing the leader of the opposition.

    In recent times, he has been a contributor to the Lanka-e-News portal and a Sinhala language paper, Colombo.

    He has been involved in left-wing politics since the 1970s and in November 2009 took up an active role in the presidential election campaign for the former Sri Lankan army commander, Sarath Fonseka. He addressed a number of public meetings in support of Fonseka in Colombo and elsewhere.

    Sandhya Eknaligoda, his wife, has since been battling alone and against great odds. Their two sons aged 16 and 13 are suffering psychological stress and have barely been able to attend regular school.

    Prageeth Eknaligoda is an insulin-dependent diabetic who underwent open-heart surgery in 2005.

    In August 2009, Eknaligoda was abducted late one evening while on his way home and held till the early hours next morning. He was reportedly kept blindfolded and heard nothing from his captors to reveal their motives. All the currency that he carried was taken away, as too was an ATM cash card. The family however did not detect any illicit withdrawals from Eknaligoda’s bank accounts after this episode.

    As part of an international coalition working for press freedom and journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka, the IFJ commits itself to supporting Eknaligoda’s family through this moment of trial.

    The August 10 protest in Colombo will be held at 3pm in Viharamahadevi Park, followed by a seminar at the Public Library.
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1008/S00139/glob

  43. Global Action on Missing Sri Lankan Journalist

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) extends its support to the protest planned for August 10 by the Alliance of Media Organisations in Sri Lanka, to mark 200 days since the disappearance of cartoonist and columnist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

    The protest (or satyagraha) and a seminar will be held in Colombo to urge the authorities fully investigate the whereabouts of Eknaligoda.

    The IFJ calls upon its affiliates worldwide to show solidarity by contacting their local Sri Lankan missions to express their concerns at the police and security agencies’ failure to trace the missing journalist.

    “The IFJ calls upon authorities in Sri Lanka to show a greater sense of purpose over this case,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

    “Statements from official agencies, including the police and the Ministry for Information, have been far from reassuring, since they have invariably failed to deliver on promises that information about Eknaligoda’s whereabouts would be made available.

    “Further, there have been suggestions from official agencies dismissing Eknaligoda’s disappearance as possibly self-staged.”

    A habeas corpus petition filed by Eknaligoda’s family is pending in the Colombo High Court. Six hearings have been held, most recently on July 21. Early hearings were adjourned because the bench was purportedly not up to full strength to hear a case of this nature. It was only after the third hearing that the bench of two judges began to deal substantively with the case.

    At the fifth hearing, police assured the court that they would have some information available by the sixth hearing. But the police failed to turn up at the hearing on July 21. The judge ordered that notice be sent to them again. The next hearing is scheduled for September.

    Reportedly, Eknaligoda was last seen by the staff of Lanka-e-News (www.lankaenews.com), the news portal where he worked on a freelance basis, as he left the office about 8.30 pm on January 24.

    Polls were scheduled to open in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections less than 36 hours later.

    As he left, Eknaligoda reportedly had phone contact with a friend. He expressed his inability to meet the friend since he had already taken a three-wheeler taxi towards meeting another friend. The identity of the person he was going to meet remains unknown.

    The police have not revealed the call records from Eknaligoda’s phone or managed to trace his cell phone.

    Eknaligoda was a cartoonist with the state-owned Lake House group of newspapers for long and resigned in 1996, reportedly because he came under pressure after defying a request from the then President to do a cartoon ridiculing the leader of the opposition.

    In recent times, he has been a contributor to the Lanka-e-News portal and a Sinhala language paper, Colombo.

    He has been involved in left-wing politics since the 1970s and in November 2009 took up an active role in the presidential election campaign for the former Sri Lankan army commander, Sarath Fonseka. He addressed a number of public meetings in support of Fonseka in Colombo and elsewhere.

    Sandhya Eknaligoda, his wife, has since been battling alone and against great odds. Their two sons aged 16 and 13 are suffering psychological stress and have barely been able to attend regular school.

    Prageeth Eknaligoda is an insulin-dependent diabetic who underwent open-heart surgery in 2005.

    In August 2009, Eknaligoda was abducted late one evening while on his way home and held till the early hours next morning. He was reportedly kept blindfolded and heard nothing from his captors to reveal their motives. All the currency that he carried was taken away, as too was an ATM cash card. The family however did not detect any illicit withdrawals from Eknaligoda’s bank accounts after this episode.

    As part of an international coalition working for press freedom and journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka, the IFJ commits itself to supporting Eknaligoda’s family through this moment of trial.

    The August 10 protest in Colombo will be held at 3pm in Viharamahadevi Park, followed by a seminar at the Public Library.
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1008/S00139/glob

  44. Global Action on Missing Sri Lankan Journalist

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) extends its support to the protest planned for August 10 by the Alliance of Media Organisations in Sri Lanka, to mark 200 days since the disappearance of cartoonist and columnist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

    The protest (or satyagraha) and a seminar will be held in Colombo to urge the authorities fully investigate the whereabouts of Eknaligoda.

    The IFJ calls upon its affiliates worldwide to show solidarity by contacting their local Sri Lankan missions to express their concerns at the police and security agencies’ failure to trace the missing journalist.

    “The IFJ calls upon authorities in Sri Lanka to show a greater sense of purpose over this case,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

    “Statements from official agencies, including the police and the Ministry for Information, have been far from reassuring, since they have invariably failed to deliver on promises that information about Eknaligoda’s whereabouts would be made available.

    “Further, there have been suggestions from official agencies dismissing Eknaligoda’s disappearance as possibly self-staged.”

    A habeas corpus petition filed by Eknaligoda’s family is pending in the Colombo High Court. Six hearings have been held, most recently on July 21. Early hearings were adjourned because the bench was purportedly not up to full strength to hear a case of this nature. It was only after the third hearing that the bench of two judges began to deal substantively with the case.

    At the fifth hearing, police assured the court that they would have some information available by the sixth hearing. But the police failed to turn up at the hearing on July 21. The judge ordered that notice be sent to them again. The next hearing is scheduled for September.

    Reportedly, Eknaligoda was last seen by the staff of Lanka-e-News (www.lankaenews.com), the news portal where he worked on a freelance basis, as he left the office about 8.30 pm on January 24.

    Polls were scheduled to open in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections less than 36 hours later.

    As he left, Eknaligoda reportedly had phone contact with a friend. He expressed his inability to meet the friend since he had already taken a three-wheeler taxi towards meeting another friend. The identity of the person he was going to meet remains unknown.

    The police have not revealed the call records from Eknaligoda’s phone or managed to trace his cell phone.

    Eknaligoda was a cartoonist with the state-owned Lake House group of newspapers for long and resigned in 1996, reportedly because he came under pressure after defying a request from the then President to do a cartoon ridiculing the leader of the opposition.

    In recent times, he has been a contributor to the Lanka-e-News portal and a Sinhala language paper, Colombo.

    He has been involved in left-wing politics since the 1970s and in November 2009 took up an active role in the presidential election campaign for the former Sri Lankan army commander, Sarath Fonseka. He addressed a number of public meetings in support of Fonseka in Colombo and elsewhere.

    Sandhya Eknaligoda, his wife, has since been battling alone and against great odds. Their two sons aged 16 and 13 are suffering psychological stress and have barely been able to attend regular school.

    Prageeth Eknaligoda is an insulin-dependent diabetic who underwent open-heart surgery in 2005.

    In August 2009, Eknaligoda was abducted late one evening while on his way home and held till the early hours next morning. He was reportedly kept blindfolded and heard nothing from his captors to reveal their motives. All the currency that he carried was taken away, as too was an ATM cash card. The family however did not detect any illicit withdrawals from Eknaligoda’s bank accounts after this episode.

    As part of an international coalition working for press freedom and journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka, the IFJ commits itself to supporting Eknaligoda’s family through this moment of trial.

    The August 10 protest in Colombo will be held at 3pm in Viharamahadevi Park, followed by a seminar at the Public Library.
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1008/S00139/glob

  45. Global Action on Missing Sri Lankan Journalist

    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) extends its support to the protest planned for August 10 by the Alliance of Media Organisations in Sri Lanka, to mark 200 days since the disappearance of cartoonist and columnist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

    The protest (or satyagraha) and a seminar will be held in Colombo to urge the authorities fully investigate the whereabouts of Eknaligoda.

    The IFJ calls upon its affiliates worldwide to show solidarity by contacting their local Sri Lankan missions to express their concerns at the police and security agencies’ failure to trace the missing journalist.

    “The IFJ calls upon authorities in Sri Lanka to show a greater sense of purpose over this case,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

    “Statements from official agencies, including the police and the Ministry for Information, have been far from reassuring, since they have invariably failed to deliver on promises that information about Eknaligoda’s whereabouts would be made available.

    “Further, there have been suggestions from official agencies dismissing Eknaligoda’s disappearance as possibly self-staged.”

    A habeas corpus petition filed by Eknaligoda’s family is pending in the Colombo High Court. Six hearings have been held, most recently on July 21. Early hearings were adjourned because the bench was purportedly not up to full strength to hear a case of this nature. It was only after the third hearing that the bench of two judges began to deal substantively with the case.

    At the fifth hearing, police assured the court that they would have some information available by the sixth hearing. But the police failed to turn up at the hearing on July 21. The judge ordered that notice be sent to them again. The next hearing is scheduled for September.

    Reportedly, Eknaligoda was last seen by the staff of Lanka-e-News (www.lankaenews.com), the news portal where he worked on a freelance basis, as he left the office about 8.30 pm on January 24.

    Polls were scheduled to open in Sri Lanka’s presidential elections less than 36 hours later.

    As he left, Eknaligoda reportedly had phone contact with a friend. He expressed his inability to meet the friend since he had already taken a three-wheeler taxi towards meeting another friend. The identity of the person he was going to meet remains unknown.

    The police have not revealed the call records from Eknaligoda’s phone or managed to trace his cell phone.

    Eknaligoda was a cartoonist with the state-owned Lake House group of newspapers for long and resigned in 1996, reportedly because he came under pressure after defying a request from the then President to do a cartoon ridiculing the leader of the opposition.

    In recent times, he has been a contributor to the Lanka-e-News portal and a Sinhala language paper, Colombo.

    He has been involved in left-wing politics since the 1970s and in November 2009 took up an active role in the presidential election campaign for the former Sri Lankan army commander, Sarath Fonseka. He addressed a number of public meetings in support of Fonseka in Colombo and elsewhere.

    Sandhya Eknaligoda, his wife, has since been battling alone and against great odds. Their two sons aged 16 and 13 are suffering psychological stress and have barely been able to attend regular school.

    Prageeth Eknaligoda is an insulin-dependent diabetic who underwent open-heart surgery in 2005.

    In August 2009, Eknaligoda was abducted late one evening while on his way home and held till the early hours next morning. He was reportedly kept blindfolded and heard nothing from his captors to reveal their motives. All the currency that he carried was taken away, as too was an ATM cash card. The family however did not detect any illicit withdrawals from Eknaligoda’s bank accounts after this episode.

    As part of an international coalition working for press freedom and journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka, the IFJ commits itself to supporting Eknaligoda’s family through this moment of trial.

    The August 10 protest in Colombo will be held at 3pm in Viharamahadevi Park, followed by a seminar at the Public Library.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1008/S00139/global-action-on-missing-sri-lankan-journalist.htm

  46. I think to prevent the island nation Sri Lanka from slipping further into the abysmal political inferno, western democratic nations should adopt a policy to either groom the belligerent nation Sri Lanka to reinstate a policy of resettling the war displaced Tamils and other minorities soon, integrating them into the social and economic strata and withdrawing the military from the North and East provinces or implementing a collective policy to free the citizens of Sri Lanka from the regime to pave way for the independent homeland to the Sri Lankan Tamil minority as was the case in Kosovo.

  47. I think to prevent the island nation Sri Lanka from slipping further into the abysmal political inferno, western democratic nations should adopt a policy to either groom the belligerent nation Sri Lanka to reinstate a policy of resettling the war displaced Tamils and other minorities soon, integrating them into the social and economic strata and withdrawing the military from the North and East provinces or implementing a collective policy to free the citizens of Sri Lanka from the regime to pave way for the independent homeland to the Sri Lankan Tamil minority as was the case in Kosovo.

Comments are closed.