Journlaists protest march in Colombo

The march organized by the Movement Against Media Suppression marched from Slave Island to Lipton Roundabout.

President of the Working Journalists’ Association, Sanath Balasuriya said the march was organised with the support of trade unions because it is a problem of democracy and an ‘issue of right to life’.

The present government has put both journalists and media into danger, he added.

The public who expressed their support said that journalists should have the freedom to do their job and report correct information. Media freedom is something expected in a democratic country, they said.

Convener of the Free Media Movement, Sunanda Deshapriya said that the biggest problem in Sri Lanka is that the government did not allow media to function freely.

International appeal

The world's largest body representing journalists, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) after an Asia-Pacific regional meeting in Malaysia recenly accused the Sri Lankan authorities of inciting violence against those working in the media on the island.

	Protest by journalists supported by trade unions

It talked of the government having a dangerous disregard for the right of journalists to report freely.

The IFJ called on the government to protect the safety of journalists in Sri Lanka and uphold the rights of the media to report freely.

In a statement IFJ also called on the Tamil Tigers and other paramilitary groups to cease committing acts of violence against reporters.