Journalist threatened by ruling party candidate Rear Admiral ( rtd) Weerasekara

(April 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Media Freedom in Sri Lanka (MFSL)has received credible evidence that on the 04 April 2010, ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance ( UPFA) candidate, former director of Civil Defence Forces, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara threatened Ampara district senior journalists Wasantha Chadrapala for his coverage of the on going election campaign. Wasantha Chadrapala is area correspondent for number of mainstream media institutions in Sri Lanka and has played a leading role in protection journalists rights in the area.

Wasantha Chandrapala has called Mr. Weerasekara late evening on 4th April to obtain his opinion on some other incident. Then instead of giving his opinion Mr. Weerasekara has said in a threatening voice " you better know that I am good for good people and worst for worst people, I do whatever I say' you journalist better remember that." …"I tell you one thing Chadrapala, I am not like other buggers, keep that in your mind, right, who are you Chandrapala to me, don’t come to show me your games, be careful" (Translation form the Audio)

On the same night his house came under stone attack while he was staying with his friends for safety , Chandrapala told MFSL. On 5th April 2010 journalist Chadrapala has logged a complaint at the Ampara police station on these threats.

MFSL deplores the threatening behavior of UPFA candidate Mr. Weerasekara and hope that this incident will not lead to any more attacks on journalist Chandrapala or his family. Journalists have right to obtain opinions form all sides and it is the duty of the politicians to cooperate with media and journalists for fair and balanced coverage of the election campaign.

MFSL requests authorities to conduct an impartial inquiry on this incident and to make immediate remedial steps to ensure the safety journalist Wasantha Chadrapala in carrying out his profession as a journalist.