Issuing a statement to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists which fell on 02 November 2017 The Free Media Movement of Sri Lanka has called for a presidential commission with a comprehensive mandate is necessary to deliver the justice for crimes against media in Sri Lanka.
Full text of the statement fellows:
While regret to emphasize the fact that no justice has been delivered for the deliberate crimes against journalists in Sri Lanka, Free Media Movement urges the President of Sri Lanka to appoint a Presidential Commission of Inquiry with a comprehensive mandate of investigation. FMM has been campaigning for this for the last 25 years, including lobbying at the meeting with government officials and by issuing media statements. However, no justice has been delivered to the deliberate crimes against journalists and media institutions that launched in order to suppress the freedom of expression and right to information.
Murder, attempted murder, disappearances, abductions and torture of journalists as well as attacks against media institutions have been reported in Sri Lanka. We emphasize that the responsibility lies within the Government of Sri Lanka for the investigation and punishing the perpetrators.
The United Nations have nominated the 02nd November as the day to end impunity for crimes against journalists, due to this worldwide trend of impunity. Therefore, Free Media Movement urges the President Maithreepala Sirisena to appoint a presidential commission with comprehensive mandate in order to complete the ongoing investigations and to expedite the process of litigation.
C. Dodawatta Dileesha Abeysundara
Convener Secretary