AI report contradicts Govt's policy on media freedom

The attention of the Government of Sri Lanka has been drawn to a recent report issued by the Amnesty International entitled 'Sri Lanka-Silencing Dissent' on alleged threats to media and media freedom.

The Report is totally misplaced - a contradiction between the title 'silencing dissent' and Government's sustained policy of open and constructive engagement with the international community and the international human rights mechanisms.

In 2007, the Government of Sri Lanka extended invitations to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on the human rights of internally displaced persons, the Special Rapporteur on Torture, and in early 2008, to a delegation from the Inter Parliamentary Union and Ms Angela Kane, the UN Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs.

In keeping with its voluntary pledge in 2006, Sri Lanka has already extended an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression to visit the country. A look at some of the weekend newspapers would prove the level of freedom enjoyed by the press in Sri Lanka to criticise anyone, in particular senior government figures.

The Amnesty International report fails to acknowledge the many positive steps taken by GOSL to promote freedom of expression which is also enshrined in the Constitution.

It fails to acknowledge any positive steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance protection in an environment of combating terrorism and shadowy killers, (the LTTE recently branded as one of the worst such groups in the world); the re-issuing of Presidential guidelines on arrest, the setting up of Independent Commissions of Inquiry, the crackdown by the police which has resulted in a decrease of allegations of abductions and disappearances.