By Colombo Telegraph –
The United States calls for an end to the harassment of these and all other journalists and believes that an uncensored and independent media available to all citizens is an indispensable part of any vibrant democracy, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka said in a statement expressing concern over media harassment following yesterday’s raid on the offices of news websites Sri Lanka Mirror and Sri Lanka X News by Sri Lankan law enforcement.
Issuing a statement a short while ago, the US Embassy said that it was closely following the case of the Sri Lanka Mirror and Lankaxnews, including the arrest of nine individuals associated with those websites.
“We have raised on several occasions our deep concern over efforts to suppress independent news media, including the blocking of news websites, intimidation, and disappearances of journalists,” the Embassy statement said.
The nine Sri Lanka Mirror staffers arrested by the CID yesterday were released on police bail earlier today after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate. Their court date has been set for July 6.
The website staffers were arrested following a raid by the CID on the Sri Lanka Mirror and Sri Lanka X News website offices in Kotte last afternoon. The CID sealed the offices and seized computers at the premises.
Meanwhile the Defence Ministry in a statement on its website said that the CID had sealed the offices of websites that had been involved in propagating false and unethical news on Sri Lanka were being operated from.
“These two websites were continuously involved in publishing false and unethical news about celebrities and popular personalities, misleading the international and local communities,” the Defence Ministry said.
“Some websites, ignoring the Supreme Court order, are trying to bring disrepute and shame on the country and the people by propagating false and distorted news. The two websites have operated disregarding a legal order issued by the highest legal body. The CID officials raided the office after a court order and have found that these two websites were directly engaged in propagating false and distorted news,” it added.
Jim Hardy / June 30, 2012
Its Wonder they didn’t come after Colombo Telegraph.
Is it operated from abroad?
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Real Peace / June 30, 2012
Colombo Telegraph, you are probably the only independent media now. I plead with you please avoid the alphabets P, O, R or N anywhere in hour website. I’m worried they are coming for you.
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Sarath / June 30, 2012
USA will not punish Sri Lanka despite its criticism of Human Rights
violations, as it is only interested in its own interests.
It is now reported that they are going to allow its GSP concessions again.
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gamini / July 1, 2012
If by now, it is not clear to the public of this country that the US is supporting MR and clan and is behind them suppressing all freedom, although paying lip service that they are monitoring the matter, the public will not know, till the last nail in the coffin is nailed by the Rajapaksas with the full support of the US.
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sathya / July 3, 2012
I also have the same feeling. All the utterances have become only lip services. If the US Government knows that the GoSL is an anti-democratic regime, why do they cooperate with Rajapakse family so closely. Basil has properties in Los Angeles. SL Ambassador to the USA is a family member of Rajapakse. President’s younger brother Dudley is a US citizen. Gotabhaya and Basil are US Green card holders.
US has staged a Cat & Mouse play just for fun.
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Jimsofty / June 30, 2012
IT is very probable that those web sites are funded by USA. that is why they are worried.
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Nimal / July 1, 2012
“…….. websites were continuously involved in publishing false and unethical news …. ” the Defence Ministry said.
Then why don’t you arrest Lake House editors?
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chilling fields / July 1, 2012
The natural disasters occuring in the American states in the form of floods cyclones etc etc is food for thought. America had been involved in human tragedy directly or indirectly in the form of wars.To name it Vietnam ,Iraq, Iran, Srilanka a few to mention and more to be mentioned. The human lives lost in those countries with the direct or indirect involement of the US cannot be measured. The mother nature punishes these tyrant states by creating natural disasters appears to be happening too frequently.
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Ben Hurling / July 2, 2012
Rajapakse clan and cronies will arrest, prosecute and pass judgements on anyone and anything. All according to their whims and fancies.
There is no supreme court in the current “Banana Republic of Sri Lanka”.
Instead we have all borthers of MR, his extended family clan, their cronies and thugs. Their rule is supreme. There are no checks and balances.
Sri Lankans have got leaders they deserve. Whether we like it or not.
Heartfelt congrats to those who elected Rajapakse clan to all offices of any importance in Sri Lanka.
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