Leaked Emails Show Park Entered Sri Lanka For Workshops And SL Media Orgs Fighting Each Other

October 31, 2013  Read More

Leaked emails show that Jacqueline Park, Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of Journalists (a paid worker), is currently being questioned by immigration authorities over suspected violation of immigration laws lied about her entering to Sri Lanka.  Park entered Sri Lanka on a tourist visa.

Park

Free Media Movement Convener Sunil Jayasekerahas claimed that Park and another IFJ member were originally not assigned to take part in the workshop organized by them. “After hearing that they were in the country we (FMM) decided to request for their presence at the workshop. They did not come here on an invitation extended by us,” he said.

Last night the Colombo Telegraph reported that the Immigration authorities had been tipped off about Park’s visa issue by elements in organisations that are full members of the IFJ, disgruntled over continued preference of the IFJ for an affiliate (FMM) over member organizations.  Even this event, as evident by the wording on the banner, clearly shows that full members of the IFJ are not involved.

We publish below some of the leaked emails;

On 29 October 2013 17:59, Sunil Jayasekara <sunil.jayasekara@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear all,

Reference to the letter dated 28^th October 2013,sent by Mr.Lankapeli addressing to Jacqui Park saying unwanted matters which were inappropriate, inaccurate  and misleading the IFJ officials by giving false information.

We, on behalf of the Executive Committee, regretting, regarding this false information which was put forward by Mr.Lankapeli.

According to our knowledge, the IFJ had informed regarding the workshop to the all affiliated bodies in Sri Lanka months ago. Other than FMM, there is no single affiliated  body given a positive response to the IFJ.

During this situation, IFJ contacted us and requested to organize this workshop. We have agreed and also we believe that we don’t have any compulsory to ask any other affiliated bodies.

After accepting to hold this workshop, we have given the information to the heads of the   five media   organizations during the last meeting which was held at the Sri Lanka Press Institute. Even at that time, they did not put forward proper objection to us regarding this matter.

We totally reject the blame saying that we informed them only two days before.

And also I have to point out that this workshop is not only for the affiliates. This was organized to the  media organizations which are functioning in Sri Lanka.

Regarding this matter, up to now the SLWJA did not object our workshop and also the General Secretary Mr.Ranga Jayasooriya of SLWJA informed me that they have no any objections against this workshop.

The FMM also regret to mention that if there is any issues come up within the five media organizations or with IFJ, it should be solved in respected way within us.                    Read More