Media Organizations demand release of abducted journalist

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 29 August 2006, 12:51 GMT]
More than hundred journalists from print and electronic media demonstrated in front of in front of the Fort Railway Station, Colombo, condemning the abduction of Nadarajah Kuruparan, a veteran journalist and the News Manager of Suriyan FM Radio broadcast from Colombo, Tuesday noon.

The Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA), Muslim Media Forum and the Sri Lankan branch of the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) organised the demonstration.

An hour long protest in front of capital's main railway station stopped vehicular traffic in Olcott Mawatha and its environs.

They protesting journalists carried placards and shouted slogans demanding the immediate release of Kuruparan.

One poster said "Where is Kuruparan?, Is this the Sri Lankan model of democracy?"

Sunanda Deshappriya, the President of FMM, while address the gathering, said, "The abductions and intimidation of Tamil journalists are continuing unabated. Whenever an incident in this nature happens, we condemn and arrange picketing, but so far, nothing changed. It should be taken seriously that journalists are being kidnapped in a country with an uncertain political situation."

"I hope, only the intervention of the International Community can assure security to the Tamil journalists," he added.

R.Bharthy, the Secretary of the SLTMA questioned whether the Sri Lankan Forces are really unable to find out the culprits.

"Tamil journalists are under continuous intimidation and the Government should take actions to stop this. The abduction of Kuruparan in Galle Road, Colombo amidst strict security, indicate us the real perpetrators," he further said.