Fetching updates...Journalist Imprisoned as Terrorist for Criticizing Government
September 1, 2009
Another country is using terrorism as a governmental excuse to silence criticism. J.S. Tissainayagam, a journalist and editor of the now non-existent North Eastern Monthly magazine, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for two articles he published criticizing the Sri Lankan Government’s treatment of its citizens during its civil war with the Tamil Tigers. Tissainayagam is believed to be the first individual convicted under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Tissainayagam was convicted of "causing communal disharmony" by writing articles condemning the government for intentionally withdrawing food to citizens in the Tamil-dominated areas of the country in an attempt to achieve a military advantage. Upon learning about the conviction, the U.S. State Department said “(j)ournalists remain under threat (in Sri Lanka) and consequently continue to practice self-censorship". International Federation of Journalists general secretary Aidan White similarly noted that the sentencing is a "chilling reminder of how dangerous Sri Lanka has become for independent journalists".