- While the media men are facing threats in an unprecedented manner, Minister Rambukewella has made certain remarks that are derogatory of the journalists. "The government entertains serious doubts about the complaint made by journalists. The government has information that Journalists are among certain people who have sought asylum in foreign countries following the complaints of attacks", the Minister said.
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- Thinakkural Editorial
(July 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Human rights violations and threats faced by the media men are increasing causing a sense of agony. At the same time, the views expressed by some government politicians and high level government officials are even more agonizing.
On many occasions, we have pointed out in this column that whenever local or international organizations expressed their concerns regarding human rights violations in this country, the response from the government does not appear responsible.
Minister Rambukwella's comment on the attacks on journalists and IGP Jayantha Wickemartna's comment regarding the white van abduction have created a controversy.
While the media men are facing threats in an unprecedented manner, Minister Rambukewella has made certain remarks that are derogatory of the journalists. "The government entertains serious doubts about the complaint made by journalists. The government has information that Journalists are among certain people who have sought asylum in foreign countries following the complaints of attacks", the Minister said.
There is no doubt that the minister has attempted to say that the media people are exaggerating these issues only to seek asylum in foreign countries. He speaks as though he was unaware of the fact that Sri Lanka is ranked as one of the countries that are precarious to journalists. He must understand that by making such statements, he brings discredit to the government rather than protecting it.
Meanwhile, the new IGP Jayantha Wickremaratna, addressing the media men, had made certain remarks about the abduction and the white van. The remarks he made do not reflect that he has understood the seriousness of the issue of abduction in the country.
The issue is not over the colour of the van but the reality of abduction. The question of white van should not be a matter of ridicule. There are mothers who have lost their sons, wives who have lost their husbands, children who have lost their father crying for help.
Therefore, people naturally expect that those who are accountable for such cruel acts should express views with the sense of responsibility. It is not prudent for them to express views that can encourage the evil forces that are perpetrating human rights violations in the country!
(An English translation of the Editorial in The Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
___________________
- Thinakkural Editorial
(July 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Human rights violations and threats faced by the media men are increasing causing a sense of agony. At the same time, the views expressed by some government politicians and high level government officials are even more agonizing.
On many occasions, we have pointed out in this column that whenever local or international organizations expressed their concerns regarding human rights violations in this country, the response from the government does not appear responsible.
Minister Rambukwella's comment on the attacks on journalists and IGP Jayantha Wickemartna's comment regarding the white van abduction have created a controversy.
While the media men are facing threats in an unprecedented manner, Minister Rambukewella has made certain remarks that are derogatory of the journalists. "The government entertains serious doubts about the complaint made by journalists. The government has information that Journalists are among certain people who have sought asylum in foreign countries following the complaints of attacks", the Minister said.
There is no doubt that the minister has attempted to say that the media people are exaggerating these issues only to seek asylum in foreign countries. He speaks as though he was unaware of the fact that Sri Lanka is ranked as one of the countries that are precarious to journalists. He must understand that by making such statements, he brings discredit to the government rather than protecting it.
Meanwhile, the new IGP Jayantha Wickremaratna, addressing the media men, had made certain remarks about the abduction and the white van. The remarks he made do not reflect that he has understood the seriousness of the issue of abduction in the country.
The issue is not over the colour of the van but the reality of abduction. The question of white van should not be a matter of ridicule. There are mothers who have lost their sons, wives who have lost their husbands, children who have lost their father crying for help.
Therefore, people naturally expect that those who are accountable for such cruel acts should express views with the sense of responsibility. It is not prudent for them to express views that can encourage the evil forces that are perpetrating human rights violations in the country!
(An English translation of the Editorial in The Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo)
- Sri Lanka Guardian
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