'enemies of press freedom have no hesitation in using the most cowardly and despicable methods to gag journalists'

In a statement issued to mark International Day of the Disappeared, Paris based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says that at least two journalists have disappeared in Sri Lanka since 2000.

The number is slightly less than that of in Mexico, where eight journalists have disappeared for nearly a decade.

“Whether carried out by agents of the state or local criminals bent on settling scores, the many disappearances of journalists highlights the fact that the enemies of press freedom have no hesitation in using the most cowardly and despicable methods to gag journalists,” the RSF statement said.

The disappearances of Jaffna journalist Subramaniam Ramachandran, who was arrested by the military in 2007, and that of Vadivel Nimalarajah are highlighted in the report.

The press freedom watchdog says that both journalists have been critical of the government and the military.

“We urge the relevant authorities to systematically take these disappearances seriously and to open the badly-needed investigations to find these missing journalists and punish those responsible,” RSF said.

Journalists have also been disappeared in Iran, Gambia and Eritrea since 2000, according to RSF.