Journalist in two divided demos

02 August, 2011

	Killing Fields

Reflecting the political divide in Sri Lanka, pro- and anti-government demonstrations have been taking place in the capital, Colombo. A pro-government rally was held in protest against the British broadcaster Channel 4 which has recently aired two programmes alleging that Sri Lankan forces committed war crimes. In a smaller demonstration, journalists blamed pro-government elements for severely beating up a Tamil journalist in northern Sri Lanka last week.

Charles Haviland of the BBC reporting from Colombo said that about 500 government supporters chanted slogans against Channel 4 outside the main railway station where they’d put up a giant billboard of President Rajapaksa.They waved national flags and cut-outs of the president, clutching banners urging that “local and foreign conspiracies” be defeated.

As the BBC reporter approached to record them they seemed to mistrust his intentions and surrounded him.

A protester shouted out “This is our country! Nobody has the right to come and tell us to keep our mouths shut! Just because you have a white skin don’t think you can come and shout at us, OK! ”

In its recent broadcasts Channel 4 condemned what it says were possible war crimes by both the government and the Tamil Tigers or LTTE. But the demonstrators described the channel as an LTTE supporter, something it denies being.

A protester said whoever supports LTTE – will be punished – doesn’t matter their skin colour or race – whoever supports, we will punish them, otherwise God will punish them. They will be cursed! They will be cursed!

The protester further said “As a Tamil I am telling you, don’t do these dirty games. If you continue to do these dirty games we will take action and will make sure stopping this Channel 4 for ever and ever!"

Attack on Journolist

	Gnanasundaram Kuganathan

Another demonstration was held elsewhere in Colombo on Tuesday, condemning attacks on a Journalist.

Here about 100 activists denounced the state for what they said was its responsibility for a severe assault on a newspaper journalist based in northern Sri Lanka last Friday. Gnanasundaram Kuganathan was beaten about the head with iron rods by a gang.

N. Vithyatharan, who used to work on a sister paper, blamed government supporters whose party lost to Tamil nationalists in recent local elections.

Vithyatharan, said “I think the people, those who are defeated in the election, are taking revenge on the media who brought the truth to the light.”

Dharmasiri lankapeli of the Media workers trade union federation said that President Rajapaksha should take responsibility for attacks on journalist not been properly investigated.

Mr Kuganathan spent time in intensive care but is slowly recovering. The government says it wants to apprehend his attackers.