BHARATHA MALLAWARACHI

Associated Press Writer= COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan journalists who claim the government has stepped up its suppression of the media in recent weeks staged a protest Monday and demanded the release of a detained editor from a pro-opposition newspaper.

Nearly a hundred journalists demonstrated in the capital Colombo, urging the government to allow the media to report without hindrance and to free Chandana Sirimalwatte, editor of the Lanka newspaper. They also demanded that authorities track down a Web site columnist who disappeared last month.

Protesters shouted slogans and held placards that read “Condemn the suppression of media, Free Chandana Sirimalwatte,” and “Rulers: Accept people’s freedom of expression.”

The protest comes on the heels of calls by international human rights and media groups for the Sri Lankan government to stop what they say is harassment of journalists following last month’s landslide re-election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

New-York based Human Rights Watch said since the election authorities have detained and questioned several journalists and blocked news Web sites. At least one reporter has been assaulted and several have been threatened.

Media rights activist Sunil Jayasekara said the government was attempting to suppress the media and any journalists critical of Rajapaksa’s government since he won re-election.

“Sri Lanka’s media freedom has been facing a grave situation during the last two weeks and we urge the government to safeguard the media freedom and ensure the safety of journalists,” Jayasekara said.

Jayasekara said police have detained Sirimalwatte without charging him. Police say they are investigating, but have declined to say what crime Sirimalwatte may have committed or give other details.

Two days after the election, a group of armed men surrounded the office of Lanka e news, a Web site critical of the president. A regular contributor to the site, Prageeth Ekneligoda, has been missing since then.

Media rights groups say Sri Lanka is among the most dangerous places for dissenting journalists. Amnesty International says at least 14 Sri Lankan media workers have been killed since the beginning of 2006.