Sri Lanka, police block a course for journalists: "They want to silence us"
Colombo
(AsiaNews) - For the fourth time in three months, the government of Sri Lanka has
"sabotaged" a training course for journalists. The complaint comes from
Professional Web Journalist Association (Pwja), organizer of the
seminar. According to the leaders of the Pwja, what happened is yet another act
of intimidation by the island's authorities to silence independent media.
The course - on digital security and the code of ethics of information on the
web - was to be held on 27 and 28 September at Rani Beach Hotel in Negombo, a coastal
town 38 kilometers from the capital Colombo.
Freddy Gamage, president of Pwja and Meepura journalist, told AsiaNews: "This
morning I received a phone call from an officer of the Terrorism Investigation
Division (Tid). He informed me that a group called Nation Building Union, was
surrounding the 'hotel: the police could not guarantee the safety of
participants and for this reason we could not hold the seminar". In addition, undercover
agents also ordered the owner of Rani Beach Hotel to prohibit the course,
because "civilians were coming and protesting, creating confusion."
Yesterday, police spokesman Ajith Rohana denied the accusation, saying that
"the police have no involvement." The hotel owner refused to comment
on the incident.
Last July, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defenses issued a
warning note prohibiting NGOs and civil society organizations from engaging
in any activity that transcends the specific tasks of the organization. In particular,
he asks them not to hold press conferences; issue press releases; organize journalism
courses and workshops for those working in the media. The note was then sent to
all NGOs.
.png)
