Nilakshan Sahapavan (22), a journalist student of Jaffna Media Resource Training Centre (MRTC) and a part time journalists was shot dead this morning by unknown gunmen. Motorbike riding gunmen woke him up at their family home in Kokuvil, Jaffna around 4.00 am and shot him injuring seriously. Kokuvil, just 3 miles away from Jaffna city, is heavily guarded by Sri Lanka military and the shooting took place during the curfew hours. He succumbed to his injuries at Jaffna General Hospital few hours later. Saddened by his untimely death and angered by this dastardly act the FMM demand an immediate, open and impartial inquiry into killing of journalist Nilakshan Sahapavan. Nilakshan is the 8th media worker/journalist killed in Jaffna since May 2006. International Press Freedom Mission which visited Sri Lanka in June this year has named Jaffna as one of the worst places to be a journalist in the world today. MRTC affiliated to University of Jaffna was established with the support of UNESCO and being supported by Danida of Denmark for last two years. MRTC works in close association of Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) of Colombo. During last two weeks of July Nilakshan was in Colombo with MRTC students doing internships and returned to Jaffna on 30th Monday. FMM had a discussion on current media situation with visiting student group including Nilakshan on 25th July. FMM is disappointed that none of media workers/journalists killings have been investigated to a completion by the government of Sri Lanka. Viewing the prevailing culture of impunity as an indirect approval of killing the messenger in Sri Lanka today FMM hold the government accountable for the not carrying out even a single inquiry on killed journalists to the end. Free Media Movement -For more information -Sunanda Deshapriya – (+ 94)777 312457 |