Another defence reporter warned

Five local media rights groups report that senior journalist attached to 'Divaina' newspaper Sirimevan Kasturiarachchi had been warned by a group against reporting on defence matters.

They said in a statement that the three intimidators had gone to the Veyangoda home of the former treasurer of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association on May 29th.

According to the statement, Mr. Kasturiarachchi is a former officer of the Air Force and has been a defence reporter for around 20 years.He is the brother of a senior army officer who is reported as missing while on duty many years ago.

The 'Divaina' journalist has told the group about all this, and also that he had never troubled the government or the armed forces through his reporting.

However, they had insisted that he should stop reporting on defence matters immediately.

Mr. Kasturiarachchi also says that since of late, he has been prevented from covering important events of the army at the instigation of its hierarchy.

The statement says that the five media rights groups strongly condemn the continued harassment, intimidation and attacks against journalists as part of intensifying curbs against media freedom.They reiterate to the authorities that they should immediately intervene and ensure the people's right to information.

The statement has been signed by the Free Media Movement, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, the Federation of Media Employees Trade Union, the Muslim Media Forum and the Tamil Media Alliance.