Stop killings,abductions and harassment of journalists.

Carrying placards and banners they staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Fort Railways Station.

Five media trade unions who organised the protest rally complain that it has been extremely difficult for jouirnalists to carry out duties under the present unhealthy situation.

They condemned the recent killings, assaults and threats faced by journalists, and called upon the government to stop harrasment to journlaists.

8 killed

The convenor of the Free Media Movement, Sunanada Deshapriya said in the year 2006, eight media persons were killed.

They were the journalists Samapth Lakmal of Sathdina, Sugeetharajan of Sudaroli and 6 media workers in Jaffna – Udayan, Nawadu Eelanadu.

Among the ten journlasits who have received death threats was director editorial of the Maubima newspaper,Ruvan Ferdinandez, who is also the co-ordinating secretary of Ports and Aviation Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

Death threats Lasnatha Wickramatunga - Sunday Leader Victor Ivan - Ravaya Sunanda Deshapriya - Ravaya & FMM Bandula Pathmakumara – Swarnawahini Sri Ranga – MTV net work Ruwan Ferdinandez – Maubima and the Sunday Standard Sandaruwan Senadeera – Lanka E news Rohitha Bashana – Hiru Newspaper Anurudda Lokuhapuarachchi – Reuters

"This is a very unfortunate situation", said General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journlists Association, Poddala Jayantha.

Govt & President silent

Dharmasiri Lankapeli,general secretary of the Fedeation of Media Employees Trade Unions said the prevailing situation of insecurity has forced some of the jounalists to leave the country.

Despite death threats,arrest, assault and harassment to journalists, the government and the president maintain a dead silence, he said.

Rohitha Bhasana of the Hiru Newspaper, Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi of Reuters and S.Rajkumar, News Manager of Deepan Television have already gone abroad.

Maunasamy Parameshwaree journalist,Maubima and Kumaravel Gajan proof reader, Thinakkural were arrested.

Derana TV journalist Saranga,Sunday Leader journalist Asoka,
Ajith of Lanka E news, Gnanasiri Kotthigoda of Haraya, Sudarman of ITN were assaulted while many others have faced harassment.

The journalists' demonstration scheduled at 12.30 pm was delayed for some time as another protest led by deputy minister Mervyn Silva took place at the same time at the same location.

The protest was organised by the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation Of Media Employees Trade Unions, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Sri Lanka Tamil Journlists Alliance, Free Media Movement