Three Years On, No Clues on Prageeth Ekneligoda’s Disappearance

On the three-year anniversary of the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins partners and affiliates in reminding the Government of Sri Lanka that it continues to be seriously remiss in meeting its commitments on national reconciliation and fixing accountability for human rights abuses during the island nation’s quarter-century long civil war and its immediate aftermath.

IFJ Launches Situation Reports on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Vigil for assassinated journalists in Sri Lanka o( 2008 file photo)

Read full report here:  Sri Lanka Situation Report.pdf

The International Federation of Journalists, in collaboration with partners and affiliates released situation reports on journalists’ rights and the state of media freedom in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The information presented in the reports is the result of extensive consultations between the IFJ and its partners, field visits and interviews by IFJ personnel in the two countries.

Freedom of movement and the free exchange of information still a lofty goal for journalists in Sri Lanka-IFJ Asia

 The Government should ensure the freedom of movement of media personnel in the North and East, as it would help in the exchange of information contributing to reconciliation” (Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, recommendation 9.115-d)

A key recommendation of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), a commission appointed by the President and lauded as the domestic mechanism for reconciliation and accountability, has yet to see the light of day. Free movement of media personnel in the North and East continue be restricted by the Government.