FMM condemns journalist's killing

Free Media Movement has condemned the killing of Sudaroli journalist Subramaniyam Sugirdharajan, popularly known as SSR, a part time provincial journalist working for the Tamil language daily Sudaroli was shot dead in Eastern Port City of Trincomalee around 6.00 a.m. yesterday.

He was 35 years and father of two children aged three and two. Assailants were on a motorbike and fired at him from close range.

The FMM press release:

Tamil language media and journalists are under serious pressure and have also faced numerous threats in the recent past. Four Tamil journalists have been killed during the last 12 months. Tamil newspaper offices have been searched, several Tamil journalists were assaulted and detained during the last two months. The Sudaroli newspaper in particular faced numerous serious threats in the recent past.

On 20th August, 2005 two hand grenades were lobbed inside its advertising office. In a grenade attack on its printing press on 29th August, 2005 its security guard Mr. David Selvaratnam was killed.

One of its journalists was manhandled and handed over to police as a LTTE spy in Colombo on 23rd August, 2005.

In this disturbing context, the FMM requests that the Government to take immediate steps to arrest the killers and subject them to the due process of the law.

It is time to put a complete stop to the impunity which has been the hallmark of attacks on the freedom of expression in this country and ensure that culprits are arrested and held account for their crimes.