President not involved in editor's transfer

President's Office responds to RsF:

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not been in any way interested in the transfer of the editor of the Sunday Observer from his post and this is a matter wholly within the purview of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., the publishers of the Sunday Observer, the President's Office stated on Wednesday.

Reference to a statement by Reporters without Borders (RsF) under the caption 'State Newspaper editor fired for criticising President' : Director, Policy Research and Information, Presidential Secretariat Lucien Rajakarunanayake said that any suggestion or imputation that President Rajapaksa was in any way responsible for the transfer of Abeynayake from his position in the Sunday Observer is wholly unjustified and not borne out by facts.

He said: "I refer to the statement by Reporters without Borders (RsF) of Tuesday 17 October 2006 under the heading "State newspaper editor fired for criticising President", which refers to the transfer of Rajpal Abeynayake from the post of editor of the Sunday Observer.

It is noted that this statement, distributed by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), has sought without reason to bring the President of Sri Lanka into this matter.

RsF states: "Instead of sidelining critical editorialists, the president should concentrate on taking measures to resolve the serious crisis sweeping Sri Lanka and to ensure the safety of the media, which have repeatedly been the target of violence."

President Rajapaksa does not require gratuitous advice from Reporters without Borders on what requires his concentration in the political developments in Sri Lanka and how he should resolve political issues in this country, including ensuring the safety of the media.

The President and the Government is committed to ensuring the freedom and safety of the media in Sri Lanka. Representatives of the Government met with members of the international press freedom mission, referred to in your statement, which recently visited Sri Lanka and had a fruitful exchange of views on matters of mutual interest.

It is regretted that Reporters without Borders has thought it fit to issue this statement, which refers to the President, without verifying the relevant facts about the matter at issue from this office. This cannot be too much to expect of an organisation concerned with safeguarding press freedom."