The Kilinochchi Media Forum strongly condemns the death threat issued via telephone to Mr. Dharmanikam Paramasivam (Siva), a journalist from Kilinochchi, for raising public awareness about the illegal activities taking place in the region.
Issuing a death threat against a journalist for expressing opinions posted with the intention of social welfare, without naming any individual, is a threat against the freedom of the independent media. We consider this to be a deliberate attempt to intimidate and silence the entire media community. The primary aim of those involved appears to be to suppress the work of journalists who oppose illegal activities through this threat.
Furthermore, despite a complaint being lodged at the police station with relevant evidence regarding this death threat, the police’s negligent attitude in not taking legal action against the person who issued the threat has turned this matter into a mere ordinary threat, causing us great shock. Such actions, which aid criminals, erode trust in the rule of law and seriously call into question the safety of journalists. This conduct by the police undermines democracy.
Therefore, the individual who threatened the journalist must be arrested without delay, without allowing any influence from behind the scenes, and brought before the law.
If any harm comes to the life of the threatened journalist, the full responsibility will lie with the police.
Such threats cannot suppress the voices of journalists. We will never be intimidated by such threats in our mission to speak the truth.
We hereby state that it is the duty of the government to ensure the freedom of the media, which is the fourth pillar of democracy, and the safety of journalists. Justice must prevail in this matter.
Kilinochchi Media Forum
23.03.2026
( Translated using AI from original Tamil press release)