Sri Lanka: is the media being intimidated by the State?

It was typical of what Sri Lankan media has been facing over the years: a pre-dawn raid on a media house, employees beaten up and costly equipment destroyed. Maharaja TV, the latest victim, was also promised the routine, impartial inquiry by the government.

'I would be happy and pleasantly surprised if anything comes out [of the government investigation]," Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, political analyst and executive director at the local think tank Centre for Policy Alternatives, told IPS. "The culture of impunity will continue."

The Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), expressing shock over the incident, commented: "The only difference this time is the massive extent of the attack." More...

See also:

1. Sri Lanka: beginning of the end for Tamil Tigers?
2. Sri Lanka: using terror against free speech...
3. Sri Lanka and the white van syndrome...