Implementation of Committee Recommendations providing relief to Media Persons who were subjected to harassment and persecution during 2005 to 2015 Period.
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by H. E. the President upon the request of Non-Cabinet Minister of Mass Media to compensate 78 journalists who were subjected to harassment and persecution during 2005 – 2015 period.
Wickrematunge, Eknaligoda among 78 journalists to be compensated.
Cabinet approves compensation for 78 journalists who were victimised between 2005 and 2015.
Compensation to range from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 1.5 million.
The family of slain Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda and 78 other persecuted members of the media will be compensated under a proposal approved by Cabinet on Tuesday.
Compensation ranging from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 1.5 million has been proposed for the journalists by a special committee which was appointed to look into and seek justice for journalists who were killed or physically attacked in the line of duty as well as others who were threatened and harassed during the period from 2005-2015, the Daily FT learns.
The compensation covers 78 journalists who were subjected to various forms of harassment, including political victimisation and persecution, during the 10-year period.
The proposal to compensate the media personnel was presented by President Maithripala Sirisena on behalf of Non-Cabinet Minister of Mass Media Ruwan Wijewardene.
The journalists have been selected based on representations made to the special committee.