Media suppression increase – Police inaction worrying

 Tuesday, 09 December 2014 

CaFFE is deeply concerned about the increasing media suppression as presidential election draws near and the police inaction regarding those who violate election laws.
 Editor of Ravaya newspaper KW Janaranjana has been summoned to the CID, for publishing an article regarding a intelligence report on the coming presidential election. The headline of the November 30, 2014 of Ravaya was 'Intelligence boss who predicted 59% for Maithri and 41% for Mahinda sacked'. CID has summoned Janaranjana for tarnishing the image of DIG Chandra Wakishta, head of the state intelligence unit. The newspaper and its editor is an active member of Citizens Power organization and the newspaper has been fighting corruption for decades. Meanwhile Janaranjana  is a vocal advocate for many social issues and CaFFE considers this a direct attempt to supress the media near the election. Although Janaranjana  was summoned, authorities have not denied the Ravaya news item.

Meanwhile there is a police investigation on Derana News Director Shehan Baranage  regarding a phone call which 'inconvenienced' Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage on Derana 'Wada Pitiya' programme. UPFA left the programme stating that there is a bias against them and are not sending representatives to political talk shows on Sirasa TV.

Police inaction
 CaFFE has been dismayed by the lukewarm attitude taken by the police in apprehending those who violate election law violations. According to our knowledge only the UPFA Ududumbara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman was arrested by police for an election related violent incident. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting a group of Opposition activists and destroying the propaganda materials in support of Common Opposition Presidential Candidate Maithripala Sirisena on December 06.

Meanwhile Mr. Maspotha Nilan Indika has lodged a complaint stating that Kurunegala PS member Vithanage Rohana threatened him. He was threatened when he visited  a person who was assaulted at Rathkarawwa and was undergoing treatment at Kurunegala hospital. However police claim that the incident is not politically motivated.