Mullaitivu Press Club calls for international 'judicially empowered probe' into killings and disappearances of journalists

by admin
Oct 22, 2024

Mullaitivu Press Club has called for a 'judicially empowered probe' with the participation of international media watchdogs and legal experts to investigate the killings and disappearances of journalists in Sri Lanka. 

In a statement marking the 24th anniversary of the assassination of Tamil journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan, the press club highlighted the continued harassment, intimidation, and surveillance faced by journalists, particularly Tamil journalists, on the island.

According to Together Against Genocide, from 2004 to 2009, over 48 journalists and media workers were reported killed, 41 of whom were Tamil. 

Mullaitivu Press Club stated hat the lack of accountability for the killings and disappearances allows for a culture of impunity "that allows perpetrators to act without the fear of consequence". 

Earlier this month, the newly formed Sri Lankan government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, announced the reopening of investigations into seven high-profile cases, including the murder of high profile Tamil journalist Dharmeratnam 'Taraki' Sivaram.  

Although the case has been re-opened, the press club noted that "tangible progress is still absent". 

"While justice for 'Taraki' Sivaram is long overdue, the new administration is yet to clarify the justification for not investigating the killings and disappearances of at least 44 ther journalists, the overwhelming majority of whom are Tamils,"  Mullaitivu Press Club added. 

The press club emphasised that merely re-opening an investigation into the murder of one journalist does not guarantee media freedom. Instead, they called for the current system that "enables violence and fear to persist unhindered"  to be dismantled.

See the full statement below: 

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Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

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