Watchdogs demand government investigate the killing

“We demand the government of Chandrika Kumaratunga to investigate the killing and bring the killers and the masterminds to justice,” Paris based media campaign group Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) said.

“Impunity held by perpetrators is one of the major reasons for these continued killings. RSF urges the government to end this practise and to put every measure to end these killings,” Vincent Brossel, head of Asia Pacific desk of RSF, told BBC Sinhala.

Sivaram was kidnapped from outside a Colombo restaurant late on Thursday evening.

CPJ

He was later found dead with gunshot wounds. A former Tamil militant, Sivaram became a journalist and was a prominent member of the pro-Tamil Tiger rebel news website, Tamilnet.

“Abductors forcibly took Sivaram in to a waiting Inter cooler jeep, and speeded away. The restaurant is situated just opposite the Bamabalapitiya Police station,” said Sunanda Deshapriya of free Media Movement (FMM).

Impunity held by perpetrators is one of the major reasons for these continued killings RSF

“This audacious and brutal crime is an attack on free speech in Sri Lanka,” CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said in a statement.

“The brazen abduction and execution of a veteran journalist sends a chilling message to others in the Tamil media. We call on all sides to respect the rights and safety of journalists, and we urge authorities to follow through on their pledges to thoroughly investigate this cold-blooded killing.”

Article 19

“We are profoundly saddened and angered by this coward murder,” Agnes Callamard, executive director of Article 19 told BBC Sandeshaya (BBC Sinhala).

“Today we have seen once again that media in Sri Lanka, journalists and most importantly freedom of expression is being attacked, threatened & killed.

We are very much concerned that this situation is a major drawback & impediment towards peace building.”

Japan

Japan said the Sivaram’s murder is a blatant attack on democracy.

In a statement, Japanese Ambassador Akio Suda said he was “shocked and extremely disturbed” of the killing.

Japan 'extremely disturbed' of the killing

“Whatever the background of the perpetrators, such a heinous act should not be tolerated. I wish to state that such despicable acts will not hinder the efforts of promoting the peace process in Sri Lanka.

Condemning the killing, the FMM demand an immediate and impartial inquiry.

Last year police raided his home twice allegedly searching for weapons.

Journalists have been targeted in the past for political reasons. Last year suspected Tamil Tiger rebels seriously wounded a reporter in the east of the country.

Nimalarajan

Journalist Aiyathurai Nadesan was killed in the east in May 2004 after senior LTTE leader Karuna defected from the Tamil Tigers in March 2004.

Two other Tamil journalists had to flee the country as a result of death threats.

Sivaram left behind his wife, two daughters and a son

Earlier BBC journalist Nimalarajan Mylvaganam was shot dead art his home in the Jaffna’s High Security Zone in October 2000.

After four years his killers are yet to be found and bring into justice.

There have been accusations that EPDP, a partner in President Chandrika Kumaratunga’s UPFA government was behind the killing of Nimalarajan.

This latest attack on Sivaram raises concerns whether the violence is now moving in to the capital. So far no one has been accused of the killing but analysts say it was politically motivated.