The Sri Lankan Government has been in the midst of many human rights problems ever since independence in 1948. More so than ever the country has now become an international concern in which one of the reasons for shutting up journalists who dare to speak against the ruling Government. Sri Lanka which is known as the ‘tear drop island’ particularly due to the shape is one of the worst countries for journalists.
According to Bob Dietz, Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), there has been more than ten premeditated murders on journalists who have written against the Government. No arrests have been made for these murders. Many other journalists have been severely beaten, injured and jailed. Most of the journalists are forced to flee the country and are now living in exile.
Journalists say independent reporting has become even more difficult since the end in May of Sri Lanka’s 25-year conflict between the government dominated by the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil Tigers.
…The “war on terror” and the war in Sri Lanka has encouraged a new wave of human rights abuse and diverted attention from old ones … while many governments are openly pursuing repressive agendas.
