Colombo, Human Security, Peace and Conflict

Amidst shackles – Notes of a citizen journalist

In this article I explore two issues. One, the murder of Don Bolles in America and the other, the recent virulent verbal attack by the Defense Secretary against Champika Liyanaarachchi, Editor of the Daily Mirror, on the 17th of April.

The first section is in essence a paean for investigative journalism that’s instructive for those in the media field in Sri Lanka. The second section explores some of the recent disturbing trends that colour media freedom in Sri Lanka, and increasingly, the lack thereof. I note that it’s two years since Sivaram was brutally killed, with no investigations active to bring the culprits to book. I end on a solemn note, lamenting the strangulation of free media in Sri Lanka by forces who have no patience for the human rights and freedom that are a sacrosanct facet of the democracy Sri Lanka claims to be.

Read the full article, in Sinhala, here.