Transparency International (TI), a global NGO campaigning against corruption, expressed serious and grave concerns about the safety of the director of its Sri Lankan opearations, Mr J. C. Weliamuna.
Mr Weliamuna was named on an surveillance list by the intelligence agencies of the Sri Lankan Government, claimed Amnesty International.
AI condemned the existence of such a list and Mr Weliamuna featuring on it. The group argued that the list was deliberately leaked in order to intimidate Mr Weliamuna and undermine the anti-corruption work of TISL, particularly during the January 2010 election.
In September 2008, two grenades were thrown at Mr Weliamuna’s house. No one has been brought to justice for the crime. The recent statement by TI detailed on-going harassment of their Sri Lankan director as well as ground staff, in the form of threatening phone calls, hate mail and security threats directed at their office.
The list is the latest in a long line of attempts to silence TISL. Following several media reports by the government of Sri Lanka undermining and discrediting the work TISL, the group had only very recently issued a statement of defiance, “We have nothing to hide”, on the 8th March 2010, where they highlighted their non-partisan, apolitical approach.
TI’s recent statement praised the work of TISL and appealed to the Sri Lankan Government to reaffirm its commitment and belief in freedom of speech, whilst ensuring the safety of Mr Welimuna and other TISL staff.
‘Civil society organisations should be allowed to operate without intimidation or retaliation, particularly when promoting accountability, integrity and good governance.’
