[Jayasiri Jayasekara handing over certificates at the ceremony]
An unknown gang called ‘Patriotic Force’ has threatened to kill senior journalist and former editor Jayasiri Jayasekara and his family for his leading role in an investigative journalism training course conducted by the Transparency International, Sri Lanka (TISL). In his complaint to the Inspector General of Police jayasekara has provided time and phone numbers of the threatening phone calls he received but so far no action has been taken. The would be killers has repeatedly called his mobile phone and finally when they came to know that he has not listened to their warnings the ‘Patriotic Force’ has ‘threatened in a cruel way, to kill me, my wife and my children’ says Jayasekara.
The Sinhala language letter to IGP: Jayasiri Jayasekara complaint to IGP
The English translation follows:
Jayasiri Jayasekara
138/5, High Level Road
Colombo 05.
Inspector General of Police
Police HQ
Colombo.
Dear Insspector General of Police,
A complaint regarding the threats received via telephone
I am a journalists and a journalism trainer by profession. Currently I work as a training consultant for an investigative journalism course conducted by the Transparency International (Sri Lanka) located at the above address. My national ID number is 720401819V and mobile phone number is +94777 31670.
A certificate awarding ceremony and a get together of a group of journalists trained by the said programme was scheduled to be held at the Janaki Hotel, Narahenpita, Colombo, on 25th October 2014. I sent an SMS to all invitees for the ceremony form my mobile on 13th October.
At 5.10 pm on 14th October I received call to my mobile phone from another mobile with the number +94756245489. The person on the other end threateningly told me to resign from the Transparency International (Sri Lanka) and not to hold the above mentioned event. Further he threatened to torture me to death if I participate in the event.
The person did not identify himself. When I tried to explain the programme he continued to threaten me without listening to what I said. Same evening at 7.38pm I received an SMS from the mobile number +94725436266 which said ‘”The Meeting which is organized for the Journalist in the Janaki Hotel on the 15th is the canceled do not attend for the LTTE meeting you will be attacked-RATA BERAGATH DESHAPREMI BALAKAYA”.
As the ceremony was being held in another undisclosed location due to the threats received by Hotel Janaki, a person called my mobile phone through a land line telephone with the number +94112438359 and inquired me where I was at that time and threatened in a cruel way, to kill me, my wife and my children because I have acted against their warnings.
As these threats have posed a serious risk to my profession and my life I urge you to take steps to protect my life. At the same time I urge you to initiate a proper investigation and to take legal action against those who threatened to kill me.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely
Jayasiri Jayasekara