Poster campaign against CPA executive director - PHRE

Monday, 22 October 2012 

People for Human Rights and Equality, Australia is saddened and disturbed by the recent poster campaign in Colombo threatening harm to Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, the executive Director of the Centre for Policy alternatives.

This is not the first time Dr. Saravanamuttu has been similarly threatened. As a forthright critic of the government’s lack of enthusiasm for freedom of expression, law and order and genuine reconciliation, Dr. Saravanamuttu has often come under attack from groups that have failed to discern the genuine concern for the people of Sri Lanka and patriotism underlying Dr Saravanamuttu’s actions.

PHRE condemns without reservation all such attacks including the latest poster campaign against Dr. Saravanamuttu and holds the government of Sri Lanka responsible for Dr. Saravanamuttu’s safety.

PHRE also calls upon all organisations, governments and individuals who value democracy and freedom of speech in Sri Lanka to exert whatever influence they can bring to bear upon the Sri Lankan government to ensure that Dr. Saravanamuttu and others like him who defend fundamental freedoms and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, remain unharmed and that the steadily narrowing space for freedom of expression in the country is safeguarded.

22 October 2012

The People for Human Rights and Equality (PHRE),Melbourne.