Journalists protest in Colombo

Hundreds of jounalists carrying placards and photos of slain jounalist Sivaram held the demonstation in front of the Fort Railway Station.

Artistes, politicians,trade unionists also joined the protest. They demanded that the government take into custody those reponsible for the murder of Sivaram and conduct an inquiry.

Award winning Film Director Prasanna Vithanage who was among them said Sivaram is a jouranlist who analysed Sri Lanka's ethnic problem from its roots.

"It is not fair to lable him as a Tamil nationalist. I do not think any one who analyse Sivam's writing will come to that conclusion", he said.

Journalist Sanath Balasuriya, President of Working Journalists Association said the murder of Sivaram is a clear threat posed to the freedom of the press.

Tamil parliamentarian, Mavai Senadhiraja who joined the protest said Sivarm's murder has given a siganal to all journalists of impending danager they faced.

At the same time it is an indication of the derteriorating security situation in the country, he added