Athas' security was removed after he revealed alleged corrution in purchasing MiG-27s

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said he was not aware of the government making such comments on journalist Iqbal Athas.

"I am sorry if any government media has actually called him as a traitor," the minister told BBC Sandeshaya.

Defence Ministry article

International media watchdogs and Sri Lanka's opposition parties have strongly protested continuing threats to the journalist's life after his revelations of alleged corruption in procurements for Sri Lanka military.

It has been the habit of consecutive governments to portray those oppose their views as LTTE supporters Opposition leaders

In an article titled "Stop insulting our soldiers' sacrifices," the Defence Ministry has indicated that Athas is "assisting in the psychological operations of the LTTE terrorists".

Military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, has also reportedly accused Athas of helping the LTTE.

FM in Washington

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has refused to comment on the threats or accept responsibility for Defence Ministry's publication.

	A parliamentary probe was launched on alleged corruption in military procurements

"It is the same pattern of nefarious behaviour that has left the deaths of eight Sri Lankan journalists unsolved in recent years", said Bob Dietz, Asia program coordinator of New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Sri Lanka's Free Media Movement (FMM) also condemned the government actions to portray the senior journalists as a supporter of the LTTE.

The main opposition alliance, National Council (Jathika Sabha) said the government's action shows signs that Sri Lanka is fast moving towards a dictatorship.

'Towards a dictatorship'

"It has been the habit of consecutive governments to portray those oppose their views as LTTE supporters," a statement issued by Ranil Wickramasinghe and Mangala Samaraweera said.

It is the same pattern of nefarious behaviour that has left the deaths of eight Sri Lankan journalists unsolved in recent years CPJ on Minister Bogollagama refusing to answer questions on Athas

Athas' security, provided after a security assessment last year, was removed after he alleged wide-scale corruption in purchasing MiG-27 fighter jets from Ukraine, last year.

The government has categorically denied any wrongdoing.

However, the government agreed to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) after Iqbal Athas' revelations.