Sunil Jayasekera’s Lie Exposed, Park Arrest Tipped Off By Working Journos

October 30, 2013 

A photograph published by www.sinhala.srilankamirror.lk has conclusively proved that Sunil Jayasekera, Convenor of the Free Media Movement (FMM), has deliberately lied when explaining Jacqueline Park‘s presence at a workshop held in Janaki Hotel, Colombo.

Jacqueline Park, Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Jacqueline Park, is currently being questioned by immigration authorities over suspected violation of immigration laws.  Park entered Sri Lanka on a tourist visa.

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.

Free Media Movement Convener Sunil Jayasekera has 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.

This story appears to be a barefaced lie considering that the event was jointly organised by the FMM and IFJ.  Jayasekera’s statement implies that neither he nor the FMM had prior knowledge of Park’s presence in Sri Lanka, which is highly unlikely given Park’s position in the IFJ and given IFJ’s involvement in the event as co-organiser.

The Colombo Telegraph learns that Park has visited Sri Lanka on no less than 17 occasions.  Immigration authorities are currently investigating whether these visits were on tourists visas and whether Park participated in workshops, seminars or other events as per IFJ direction, i.e. ‘official work’.

Jacqueline Park Caught Violating Immigration Laws; Previous Violations Being Investigated

Sunanda and Park

October 30, 2013 

A paid worker of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Jacqueline Park, currently in Sri Lanka as a resource person for a workshop organised by the Free Media Movement (FMM) at the Janaki Hotel, Colombo, has been detained by immigration authorities for questioning after it was found that Park had come on a tourist visa, thereby violating immigration laws.

Park has been a regular attendee at FMM events, conducting workshops and other training programmes. According to sources Park has always used a tourist visa to enter the country and as such is guilty of violating immigration laws on multiple occasions.Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chulananda Perera has confirmed to media that the Park, along with an associate, are being questioned over violation of immigration laws prior to them being deported.  According to sources, authorities are questioning Park regarding her previous visits to Sri Lanka to determine whether or not she is guilty of other violations.

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