The Channel 4 news team pulled out of Sri Lanka before the close of the Common Wealth Heads of government meeting after facing extensive intimidation and harassment, today.

Writing on  the Channel 4 News website, the editor, Ben de Pear explained the reasoning behind his decision to leave Sri Lanka.

Extracts produced below.

“Tonight there will be no report from Channel 4 news on this important summit form Colombo, as despite having been invited to Sri Lank, granted visas and even accredited for the event, after a difficult week it became impossible for Channel 4 News to operate as journalists in this country.”

“After being invited to visit any part of the country - as were all CHOGM journalists publicly by the president – when we took a train to the north of the country, even the train was met and stopped by another organised protest.”

“We were then forced into a van by police and driven back to Colombo.”

“The government has tried to exclude us from CHOGM press conferences.”

“Our Phones and laptops have been monitored. We were tailed by up to four vehicles.”

“During the afternoon we received a number of warning phone calls from inside and outside Sri Lanka that the situation was highly dangerous for us.”

“Finally this morning at 6.20am at least six burly men knocked on my hotel door. It was an intimidating experience.”

“They told me that we had broken the terms of our visa and that out visa required that we only visit and film Chogm, though this is directly contradicted by the terms and conditions of the accreditation and the repeated statements of the president.”