27 January 2011 Last updated at 12:39 ET
Organisers say that Mr Galgut's withdrawal has left a void
Reporters without Borders - a group campaigning for journalists' rights - made the call.
It has been supported by lobby groups and well-known international writers.Author boycotts S Lanka book fairFull Story>>>
AFP/Getty Images/File – Leading media freedom group Reporters Without Borders on Thursday accused Nobel-winning author Orhan …
Organisers say that Mr Galgut's withdrawal has left a void 
The festival attracts attention from writers around the world
A book festival in Sri Lanka has been marred by a South African writer's withdrawal because of concerns over the country's human rights record.
Damon Galgut heeded a boycott call against the Galle Literary Festival that was issued last week by a Paris-based campaign group.Reporters without Borders - a group campaigning for journalists' rights - made the call.
It has been supported by lobby groups and well-known international writers.Author boycotts S Lanka book fairFull Story>>>
Pamuk, other writers 'legitimising S. Lanka suppression'
AFP/Getty Images/File – Leading media freedom group Reporters Without Borders on Thursday accused Nobel-winning author Orhan … – Thu Jan 20, 10:21 am ET PARIS (AFP) – Leading media freedom group Reporters Without Borders on Thursday accused Nobel-winning author Orhan Pamuk and other writers of legitimising repression in Sri Lanka by attending a literary festival there.
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was "disturbing" that Sri Lanka should celebrate literature while suppressing freedom of expression and attacking independent journalists and writers.
Dozens of foreign writers, including Turkey's Pamuk -- a free speech campaigner once charged with "insulting Turkishness" -- are due in Sri Lanka for the festival in the southern town of Galle from January 26.
Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said it was "disturbing" that Sri Lanka should celebrate literature while suppressing freedom of expression and attacking independent journalists and writers.
Dozens of foreign writers, including Turkey's Pamuk -- a free speech campaigner once charged with "insulting Turkishness" -- are due in Sri Lanka for the festival in the southern town of Galle from January 26.
- Pamuk, other writers 'legitimising S. Lanka suppression' AFP Full Story>>>
