Fire at Jaffna newspaper - an inside job

2013-04-13  Sri Lankan Army while strongly denying involvement in the attack on the Udayan Printing press, questions whether it was an insider job to gain publicity and international political mileage. The press release by Sri Lanka Army points out that, preliminary investigation revealed that damage caused by the latest attack is not excessive. The Press release further added, only three paper rolls were partially burnt along with few papers, no damage to any printing machines and power supply has been interrupted due to heat. “When power is restored the paper can resume its operations, perhaps today itself,” Sri Lankan Army release said. Sri Lankan Army came up with its press release hours after the alleged attack on Udayan printing press of the Tamil Language regional newspaper published from Jaffna, said,” There is a widespread speculation regarding the attack that has taken place in Jaffna at the Udayan printing press in early hours today (13 April 2013). Some speculate that the Military was involved in either carrying out or supporting this attack.” Sri Lanka Army categorically stated, “We reject such allegations.” The Army pointed out, “It is reiterated that the Sri Lankan Military Forces are duty bound to protect the constitutional rights. The freedom of expression is one of the guaranteed rights. The Military has no requirement to engage in acts against freedom of expression.” “There are a large number of different media institutions in Sri Lanka and anyone following what is published/broadcasted/telecasted would know that criticism on Government as well as Military are very common. Except a handful of media institutions the vast majority are privately owned. In the recent past it is only Udayan which is owned by a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian (who is actively campaigning against the Government and the Military in the north and east) that allegedly faced numerous forms of harassment. This is an interesting phenomenon. “ “There are several other publications in Jaffna and elsewhere (published in all three languages) that level harsh criticism on the Government as well as the Military, but there are no allegations of harassment. Why is it only Udayan?” The Press release pointed out that, “As things appear, it is obvious that the publicity gained by the paper through this alleged attack on its printing press is enormous. The local as well as international political mileage that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), as well as other international pro LTTE organizations propagating the ideology of establishing a separate state in Sri Lanka, gains by way of discrediting the Government and Military is much greater than the physical damage. This publicity will surely be used by them to support their widespread claims that international interference is essential for local reconciliation. Sri Lankan Army pointedly denied, “We refute speculations of any Military involvement on attack on Udayan in Jaffna.” (Asian Tribune)

ARSON AGAINST UTHAYAN PAPER TARGETS TAMIL VOTE - TNA April 14, 2013 TNA MP Suresh Premachandran inspects the Uthayan newspaper office and printing press in Jaffna following the attack by unknown gunmen on Saturday (April 13). The Tamil National Alliance today accused the government of attacking the Jaffna-based Uthayan newspaper in an attempt to silence its political rivals ahead of key local council elections. The TNA said Saturday’s torching of the Uthayan newspaper presses added to a “fear psychosis” among the population in the northern district of Jaffna. “One of the main objectives (of the attack) is silencing the opposition ahead of provincial council elections,” TNA MP Suresh Premachandran told AFP. “There is a fear psychosis in Jaffna, people are living in fear. They are scared to come out for political meetings. They fear there could be violence,” Premachandran said. Three gunmen staged the pre-dawn arson assault on the Uthayan office and printing press in Jaffna which came on the eve of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.  The Media Center for National Security (MCNS) had claimed that the attack was an “inside job” to discredit the government as the United States expressed concern for media freedom and urged a credible investigation. The military in a separate statement issued Saturday denied any involvement in the attack. Police said a senior officer was heading an investigation into the assault and that no arrests have been made so far.