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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is calling for the release of the senior Tamil journalist, J.S. Tissainayagam, who has been charge under Sri Lanka’s emergency and anti-terrorism laws after being held for six months without charge.
 After being held for five months without charge under the supervision of the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID), senior Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam has been formally indicted by the High Court of Sri Lanka under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) (1979).
The indictment reportedly refers to the printing, publishing and distribution of the North Eastern Monthly between June 1, 2006, and June 1, 2007; alleged offences to do with bringing the government into disrepute; and the violation of 2006 emergency regulations with regard to allegations of aiding and abetting terrorist organisations through raising money for the magazine.
In the almost 30 years since the PTA was adopted as a temporary measure, no individual journalist or media entity has been charged under the PTA. Tissainayagam was arrested on March 7, 2008, after checking with police on the welfare of N. Jesiharan, the owner of E-Kwality Printing Press, and Jesiharan’s partner, Valamarthi, who were arrested previously and are also reportedly under indictment. At the time he was working as the editor of the online magazine Outreachsl .
It took five months for Tissainayagam to be formally charged. Now he has finally been indicted he is at great risk of going to jail for doing his job.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its local affiliates are demanding his immediate release and complete unconditional withdrawal of all charges.
All individuals and organisations are invited to join the campaign to Stop the War on Journalists in Sri Lanka and watch the Release Tissa video at in order to help generate international support to end the attacks on free media in Sri Lanka.
IFJ Asia-Pacific has condemned the charges made against Tissainayagam.
"The indictment against Tissainayagam in a country where journalism and journalists already face extreme threats marks a dangerous turning point for freedom of expression and the right to information in Sri Lanka."
"The IFJ joins the international press freedom community in supporting our Sri Lankan colleagues who continue tirelessly to fight for the safety and protection of their colleagues and friends, including Tissainayagam."
Note: The author Sanjana Hattotuwa is a senior researcher, Centre for Policy Alternatives in Sri Lanka. |
