A presentation made on 18 May 2009 regarding the manner the Law and Order situation had affected the Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

1. 1
People for Human Rights & Equality (PHRE) and
Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC)
Human Rights and
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

2. 2
Human Rights and
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

3. 3
Human Rights and
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

4. 4

5. 5
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Editor - Sunday Leader and
Winner - UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize 2009
Assassinated in January 2009

6. Nadesapillai VidyarthanNadesapillai Vidyarthan
Chief Editor - Sudar Oli & UthayanChief Editor - Sudar Oli & Uthayan
6
Leader Printing PressLeader Printing Press
Abducted, severely beaten, detained &Abducted, severely beaten, detained &
released due to International pressure (2009)released due to International pressure (2009)
Set on fire (2009)Set on fire (2009)

7. Keith NoyahrKeith Noyahr
Deputy Editor - The NationDeputy Editor - The Nation
7
Namal PereraNamal Perera
Deputy Head - The Sri Lanka Press InstituteDeputy Head - The Sri Lanka Press Institute
Abducted & severely assaulted (2009)Abducted & severely assaulted (2009) Attacked with iron bars (2008)Attacked with iron bars (2008)

8. Jayaprakash Sittampalam TissainayagamJayaprakash Sittampalam Tissainayagam
Editor - news Web site Outreach SL, North Eastern Monthly, Sunday TimesEditor - news Web site Outreach SL, North Eastern Monthly, Sunday Times
8
Detained & charged for writingDetained & charged for writing articles critical of the governmentarticles critical of the government (2008)(2008)
Prisoner of conscience

9. Paranirupasingham DevakumarParanirupasingham Devakumar
Reporter - Sirasa, Shakthi & MTVReporter - Sirasa, Shakthi & MTV
9
HHacked to death (2008)acked to death (2008)
Some viewers may find the next image disturbing

10. 10
Selvarajah RajivarnamSelvarajah Rajivarnam
Journalist – UthayanJournalist – Uthayan
Shot dead (2007)Shot dead (2007)

11. Subash ChandraboseSubash Chandrabose
Editor – NilamEditor – Nilam
11
Subramaniam RamachandiranSubramaniam Ramachandiran
Journalsit - Yaal Thinakkural & VaalampuriJournalsit - Yaal Thinakkural & Vaalampuri
Shot dead (2007)Shot dead (2007) Kidnapped & Made to Disappear (2007)Kidnapped & Made to Disappear (2007)

12. 12
Sampath Lakmal de SilvaSampath Lakmal de Silva
Freelance JournalistFreelance Journalist
Parameswaree MaunasamiParameswaree Maunasami
Journalist - Mawbima and Suriyan FMJournalist - Mawbima and Suriyan FM
Abducted and shot dead (2006)Abducted and shot dead (2006)
Abducted, detained, threatened andAbducted, detained, threatened and released due to
International pressure (2006)
Some viewers may find the next image disturbing

13. 13
Subramaniyam SugirdharajanSubramaniyam Sugirdharajan
Journalist – Sudar Oli, whoJournalist – Sudar Oli, who reported the shooting to death of five studentsreported the shooting to death of five students
in the proximity of the Navy camp - Trincomaleein the proximity of the Navy camp - Trincomalee
Shot dead in the High Security Zone (2006)Shot dead in the High Security Zone (2006)
Some viewers may find the next image disturbing

14. Relangi SelvarajahRelangi Selvarajah
Senior broadcaster - Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) andSenior broadcaster - Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) & film ActressSri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) & film Actress
14
Shot dead along with her husband (2005)Shot dead along with her husband (2005)

15. 15
Dharmeratnam SivaramDharmeratnam Sivaram
Editor - TamilNet, Journalist,Editor - TamilNet, Journalist, Daily Mirror, Virakesari and IslandDaily Mirror, Virakesari and Island
Abducted, assaulted, shot dead & his bodyAbducted, assaulted, shot dead & his body
thrown near the Parliamentary Complex (2005)thrown near the Parliamentary Complex (2005)
Letter in Sinhala allegedly
claiming responsibility

16. 16
Aiyathurai (Nellai) NadesanAiyathurai (Nellai) Nadesan
Journalist - Virakesari &Journalist - Virakesari &
Vice-President Journalists’ Union in the EastVice-President Journalists’ Union in the East
Mylvahanam NimalarajanMylvahanam Nimalarajan
Journalist - BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya & Suriyan FMJournalist - BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya & Suriyan FM
Shot and wounded along with his parents and relativesShot and wounded along with his parents and relatives
Later succumbed to injuries (2000)Later succumbed to injuries (2000)
Shot dead (2004)Shot dead (2004)

17. Rohana KumaraRohana Kumara
Chief editor – SatanaChief editor – Satana
17
Atputharajah Nadaraja (Ramesh)Atputharajah Nadaraja (Ramesh)
Chief editor – ThinamurasuChief editor – Thinamurasu
Shot dead (1999)Shot dead (1999) Shot dead (1999)Shot dead (1999)

18. Richard de ZoysaRichard de Zoysa
Journalist - Sri Lankan Rupavahini CorporationJournalist - Sri Lankan Rupavahini Corporation
18
Kidnapped, tortured, assassinated & thrown in the sea (1990)Kidnapped, tortured, assassinated & thrown in the sea (1990)

19. Rajinee ThiranagamaRajinee Thiranagama
Writer & Free lance journalistWriter & Free lance journalist
19
Sagarika GomezSagarika Gomez
Journalist - SLRCJournalist - SLRC, Singer & Actress, Singer & Actress
Shot dead (1989)Shot dead (1989) Kidnapped and murdered (1989)Kidnapped and murdered (1989)

20. Premakeerthi de AlwisPremakeerthi de Alwis
Journalist - SLBC & LyricistJournalist - SLBC & Lyricist
20
Thevis GurugeThevis Guruge
Director General - SLBC & Competent Authority - MediaDirector General - SLBC & Competent Authority - Media
Shot dead (1989)Shot dead (1989) Shot dead (1989)Shot dead (1989)
Some viewers may find the next image disturbing

21. K NavaratnamK Navaratnam
Journalist - EelanaduJournalist - Eelanadu
21
Wimal SurendraWimal Surendra
Journalist - IslandJournalist - Island
Sathasivam Sivashanmugamoorthy (Sundaram)Sathasivam Sivashanmugamoorthy (Sundaram)
Journalist - IslandJournalist - Island
Shot dead (1982)Shot dead (1982) Shot dead (1981)Shot dead (1981)
Shot dead (1981)Shot dead (1981)

22. 22
Human Rights and
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

23. 23
Media personnel murdered 1981 – 2009 - Part 1
Year 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

24. 24
Media personnel murdered 1981 – 2009 - Part 2
Year Month Day Media Person Nationality Place of Killing Nature of Media WorkNewspaper
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

25. 25
Media personnel murdered 1981 – 2009 - Part 3
Year Month Day Media Person Nationality Place of Killing Nature of Media WorkNewspaper
2000 October 19 Mylvahanam Nimalarajan (Nimale) Tamil Jaffna Journalist - BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya and Suriyan FM
2004 May 31 Aiyathurai Nadesan Tamil Batticaloa
News 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

26. 26
Human Rights and
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

27. Acknowledgements
1.1. Free Media Movement – Sri LankaFree Media Movement – Sri Lanka
2.2. Reporters without bordersReporters without borders
3.3. Committee to Protect JournalistsCommittee to Protect Journalists
4.4. ReutersReuters
5.5. Associated Press andAssociated Press and
6.6. The Institute for Further Education of JournalistsThe Institute for Further Education of Journalists
27

28. 28
Thank you
People for Human Rights & Equality (PHRE) and Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC)