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International community must ‘not let up pressure’ on Sri Lanka says IPI

The International Press Institute (IPI) said the Sri Lankan government’s 100 days in power “bows out with weak results for media freedom” and called for continued international pressure to ensure reform.

In a post marking 100 days since Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena was elected, Scott Griffen, IPI Director of Press Freedom Programmes, said that “On the one hand, we were given the impression that a dramatic shift had taken place – literally overnight – after the election… On the other hand, it was clear that, despite a general feeling of hopefulness, the memory of past disappointments weighed heavily on journalists in the Jaffna area.”

“For example, a common concern voiced was that the military authorities were continuing to subject journalists to surveillance, collecting material that could be used against them in the event of another regime change – or change of heart,” continued Mr Griffen. “The military was interpreted to be saying: “Our hands are tied but our eyes are open.””

Stating “the Sirisena administration’s desire to improve the press freedom situation in Sri Lanka seems genuine”, Mr Griffen added “in Sri Lanka, as everywhere, reforms can stall and priorities shift”.

“The government has a tremendous window of opportunity now to dispense with the past and forge a new relationship with media – one based on respect for the rule of law and the media’s role in democratic society,” he said. “As time goes by, that window will become narrower and the latent mistrust among journalists will start to calcify.”

“For its part, the international community will need to keep its own eyes open and not let up pressure.”

See his full post here.

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