Lanka chief still in CID custody

By Jayashika Padmasiri

The pro Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) newspaper Lanka has for sometime now been at loggerheads with the government. Last week once again this newspaper was in the spotlight due to the arrest of the editor, Chandana Sirimalwatte by the CID, which was soon followed by police sealing the premises. But what is surprising is that even after a court order to withdraw the sealing of the newspaper, the editor is still in custody.
Amidst all these allegations, the Minister of Mass Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena denied charges levelled against the government saying that it was a CID investigation and has nothing to do with the government. We don’t want to harass or intimidate the media, he said.
Speaking about the arrest of Chandana Sirimalwatte the minister of media said, “If the CID fails to find any information against him, then they will release him.”
Lanka newspaper was sealed on January 30 by police due to allegations that terrorist investigations conducted by the CID were being jeorpadized due to various newspaper articles being published in the Lanka newspaper. Meanwhile, the CID has also informed the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court that they have got information claiming that a conspiracy against the state was subtlely being carried out by the Lanka newspaper. The Court after hearing the case ordered that the newspaper could resume functioning, declaring that there was no proof to prevent the publication of the newspaper.

Legal action

A Lanka journalist, Priyantha Liyanage said that the newspaper was seeking legal action against the violation of fundamental rights of its editor, by keeping him in CID custody.
“Though the CID claims that it has proof to support the numerous charges levelled at our newspaper, they have so far failed to come up with any evidence. The Supreme Court passed an order to withdraw the sealing of the newspaper. Now our paper is functioning, but still the editor is in custody. He was asked to come to the CID to give a statement and then detained there. However, by such actions, the government is only violating the right of the people for freedom of information,” he added.
Speaking further Liyanage said, “We strongly believe that whatever was done by the CID was carried out solely on the instructions of some individuals in the government, and not because the CID had any reason to arrest. Some people in the government are against our paper because we expose corruption and fraud in the government”.
Meanwhile, the JVP in a press release last week condemned the arrest of Lanka Editor, while demanding his immediate release saying it is a violation of the people’s right to information and freedom of expression. The press release further says, “even though the CID claims that they are conducting investigations against Chandana Sirimalwatte for carrying out a conspiracy against the state, they haven’t even lodged a single complaint against him. To keep a newspaper editor under detention without any valid reason is a threat to the country’s media freedom.”

Not enough evidence

Also confirming these reports, a member of the JVP said, “The charges levelled against Chandana Sirimalwatte are the same charges which were levelled against the Lanka newspaper. It is those same charges which the Supreme Court said was not enough evidence to seal a newspaper. So, on what basis are they are keeping the Lanka newspaper Editor in custody?” he queried.

ORGANIZATIONS PROTEST

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Lasantha Ruhunage criticized the government and condemned it saying the government was unfairly holding the Lanka Editor in CID custody (see mian story) while also stating that if they had evidence against the Lanka Editor they should go to courts instead of detaining him idefinitely. Ruhunage also said it was ‘political vengeance’.
The Free Media Movement (FMM) also condemned this action saying the government is trying to intimidate the media, while trying to suppress media which was critical of the government. The Secretary of FMM, Sunil Jayasekara said the government is clearly trying to intimidate the media by carrying witch hunts. They want to terrorize journalists and prevent them from working according to their conscience. However these intimidatiory tactics are violating the tenets of freedom of expression and the freedom of information which are the fundamental rights of every person. So how can you call this a democratic country when the government itself is violating the rights of its people?”