2010-07-30
Media Freedom in Sri Lanka (MFSL) condemns the arson attack on Siyatha TV and Radio studios of Voice of Asia Network in strongest terms. This incident which took place on early morning 30th July 2010 in the heart of Colombo, walking distance form major military intelligence office is a clear indication that war against media in Sri Lanka is continuing unabated.

Siyatha weekly Sinhala language newspaper which too was published by Voice of Asia Network had to close down a month ago due to political and economic pressure.
The area in which the two story building of Siyatha TV and Radio offices and studios were located has 24 hour surveillance for security reasons. According to reports form Colombo 15 armed men stormed the Siyatha office at Wewa road, Union place, Colombo 2 around 1.30 am, 30th July 2010 and set it on fire using incendiary bombs. The armed group assaulted two security guards before entering the premises. One of them is being treated at the Colombo National Hospital.

According to eyewitness all attackers were armed with either guns or pistols. Although the area is highly secured the armed group was able to get away without being noticed.

In 2008 Voice of Asia Network was launched with the blessings of the government by a family which had close relations with the ruling party leadership. During the last presidential election ( January 2010) the family fled the country due to threats, accusing them of supporting the common opposition candidate General ( Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka.

On 20 June 2010 a newspaper owned by a pro ruling party businessman published a news item in its gossip column under the heading ” still night shift “. The story implied in easily identifiable language that “Siyatha TV studio had produced a profile of General Fonseka to be distribute internationally, using outside workers. Although this was done secretly, it has come to the knowledge of the top leader of the country ” In recent past there has been number of media reports to show that the Voice of Asia Network has earned wroth of the ruling party. In these circumstances it is of paramount importance that Government of Sri Lanka ( GOSL) take immediate steps to ensure that impartial inquiry is held and culprits brought to the book.

At the same time it is necessary to note that GOSL has failed again and again in ensuring justice to the media and journalists intimidated, assaulted, abducted and killed over the last few years.

There has been three major arson attacks on media houses during the present government rule: On January 08, 2008 MTV/MBC, most popular TV and Radio network came under armed and arson attack by group of armed men making a huge loss to the building and equipments. On November 21, 2008, twelve masked men forcibly entered the press room of the Sunday Leader, Morning Leader, and Irudina Sinhala weekly and set fire to it, damaging printing machines and copies of newspapers printed ready for distribution. On August 18 Warehouse of the Uthayan, Tamil daily published from Jaffna was burnt down by four unidentified armed men. Non of these arson attacks have been investigated to a completion and no case has been filed.

Now it is high time that GOSL reestablish rule of law in the country and end impunity so that victims of war against media in Sri Lanka will be able to obtain justice.