"One reason is that he wrote in Lankaenews. Other reason is he supported Gen Fonseka's election campaign"

The Free Media Movement (FMM) said a number of journalists who supported the main opposition candidate, Gen Sarath Fonseka, were sacked from state media.

"While Some are still in the hospital after being beaten others were interdicted," FMM general secretary Sunil Jayasekara told BBC Sandeshaya.

He was commenting at a protest organised by a group of media organisations against the continuous threats to media workers by the government during and after the recently concluded presidential election.

Threats to Lankaenews

At least two journalists; BBC's Thakshila Dilrukshi Jayasena and Jude Samantha were beaten in the run up to the elections. So far no suspects have been arrested.

Prageeth Ekneligoda, a political columnist and a cartoonist for Lankaenews web newspaper is missing since 24 January.

The abduction was well planned ahead at an election time so that not much attention would be paid to the incident Sandaruwan Senadheera, Lankaenews editor

"I knew he has had threats to his life for some time now," Prageeth's wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda told BBC Sandeshaya.

"One reason is that he wrote in Lankaenews. Other reason is he supported Gen Fonseka's election campaign. Another suspicious thing is that Colombo newspaper removed his second article after themselves requesting his articles," she said.

Editor of Lankaenews Sandaruwan Senadheera says those who did not like Mr. Eknaligoda's writing are behind his disappearance.

"The abduction was well planned ahead at an election time so that not much attention would be paid to the incident," he said.

Lanka newspaper

Mr. Senadheera added that his website came under continuous threats, including an unknown group intimidating them for few nights and locking the office premises, during the election period.

General Secretary of Media Workers Trade Union Federation (MWTUF) Dharmasiri Lankapeli said everybody who exposes corruption and anti-democratic measures of the government have come under threats by the government.

Sri Lanka police were recently ordered to remove the seals on pro-opposition Lanka newspaper by the Colombo magistrate.

The journal affiliated to the opposition JVP has supported Gen Fonseka's candidacy during the election campaign.

Its editor, Chandana Sirimalwatta is still in police custody.

Journalists say the general public will be the next target of threats and intimidation if current threats against dissent is continued