Freedom for Journalist

US Presiden Obama in a statement to mark World Press Freedom on 1st May 2009, described J.S. Tissainayagam (JST) as an "emblematic example" of a journalist who was being persecuted for doing his work. JST who was writting for the Sri Lanka Sunday Times and constantly focused on the plight of minority was found guilty by Sri Lanka court for abetting with LTTE. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, shocked the world journalist and the human rights activist.

Journalist in Sri Lanka was constantly under threat eventhough there is no formal censorship. The worst case was killing of editor, Lasantha Wickrematunga near to his office by unknown killer. Until today the investigation paper is sleeping without any further progress. Human rights activist said, more than dozens of journalist killed while GOSL denied giving the official number as not more than nine. More than 27 journalist was assaulted in past three years. Many freelance journalist have quit writting or emmigrate to other countries for the sake of personel security.

GOSL need to do more to re-build the state image after the end of most ruthles ethnic conflict. Freedom for journalist shall be one of the way to redevelop the image of the state. The journalist should be given all the room to deliver the right information to the state citizens. Putting pressure or threatning the journalist will not help GOSL in any way. Whether GOSL like it or not, the more the people's pressured, the more people's power will rise. It's clearly defined in US warning to GOSL, Sri Lanka pushing the minority citizens back to terrorism platform.