CPJ ranks Sri Lanka 4th in the 2013 Impunity Index 
Fri, May 3, 2013, 12:07 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

May 03, Colombo: The New York-based media watchdog Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in its 2013 Impunity Index, has ranked Sri Lanka as the 4th worst country out of 12 countries for journalists.

CPJ's Impunity Index, published annually, identifies countries where journalists are murdered regularly and governments fail to solve the crimes.

"Getting Away With Murder: CPJ's 2013 Impunity Index" examines murders of journalists that occurred from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2012, and remain unsolved. Only nations with five or more unsolved cases are listed in the index.

The global impunity rating index calculates unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country's population.

Sri Lanka's impunity rating of 0.431 unsolved journalist murders per million inhabitants was unchanged from 2012.

In its report CPJ says that four years after the end of the nation's long civil war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa's administration has shown no interest in pursuing the perpetrators in nine journalist murders over the past decade.

According to the CPJ, all of the victims had reported on politically sensitive issues in ways that were critical of the Rajapaksa government. The cases include the killing of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunga.

In order, Iraq, Somalia and the Philippines ranked above Sri Lanka while Colombia, Afghanistan, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Nigeria and lastly India were listed below.

CPJ's analysis found improving conditions in Nepal, which dropped off the index entirely, and in Russia although both nations remain dangerous for the press. It also found intensifying anti-press violence in Somalia, Pakistan, and Brazil.

 Australian Minister commends Sri Lanka Navy's efforts to curb illegal migration
Thu, May 2, 2013, 10:05 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

May 02, Colombo: Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Brendan O'Connor who arrived in the island today on a three-day official visit met the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage at the Naval Headquarters today.
The visiting minister accompanied by the Secretary of Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Martin Bowles and Ministerial Advisor, Stephen Wettenhall held discussions with the Navy Chief on ongoing bilateral cooperation on people smuggling, the Navy said today.
The minister who is here seeking to strengthen ongoing cooperation with Sri Lanka on the shared challenges of irregular migration and people smuggling appreciated the Sri Lanka Navy's efforts in countering irregular migration.
He commended the commitment of the Sri Lankan Navy personnel in arresting and rescuing people who take on the perilous sea journey to illegally migrate to Australia.
The Navy Commander has briefed the Minister on the measures being implemented in collaboration with law enforcement authorities for the prevention of illegal migration and the Navy's continuous missions to search and rescue people trapped in rough seas.
During his visit, Minister O'Connor will meet with senior government ministers and agency officials to discuss ongoing cooperation in enhancing migration management.
Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Robyn Mudie was also present at the occasion.