Lanka authorities crack down on several websites

The opposition United National Party criticised the move terming it undemocratic

PTI | November 8, 2011



Sri Lankan authorities have blocked several news websites, including a portal run by the opposition UNP, days after citing complaints that top public officials including the president were being targeted with 'defamatory' reports.

The move was criticised by the main opposition United National Party that termed it undemocratic.

The Sri Lankan ministry of media had on Saturday ordered news websites publishing reports about Sri Lanka to obtain accreditation from the information department.

Over the last two days several websites have been blocked including Lankawaynews.com, which is said to be the UNP's official website.

The website was running on a trial basis and was to be launched this month, the head of the UNP's media unit, parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera was quoted as saying by Colombo Page.

Samaraweera said politicians were public figures whose actions come under close scrutiny and that his party would continue to campaign against such "undemocratic moves".

The Ministry of Mass Media and Information had said it was "receiving many complaints from various individuals who have been subjected to defamation and character assassination by certain reports published in several websites".

The statement added that the President, ministers, and senior public officials have come under attacks and deliberate character assassination campaigns in such reports.

Sri Lanka had already blocked anti-government websites like Lankanewsweb, Lankaenews and TamilNet.

Human rights groups and media freedom watchdogs have criticised the Sri Lankan government for stifling freedoms.

The US embassy had this week said that freedom of expression, including unfettered access to Internet news websites, was a basic right which must be respected by Sri Lankan authorities.

Secretary to the Ministry of Media and Information W B Ganegala said that certain websites are continuously publishing reports falsely accusing the President, MPs and Ministers as well as high ranking government officials in a manner tarnishing their reputations, according to Sri Lanka Braodcasting Corporation.

He said the ministry was "compelled" to take action against such websites and is in the process of accumulating their addresses, apparatus and information regarding their staff.

Comments

 

Other News

Who checks the books?

I read about the news about the Coimbatore library over coffee this morning. On the face of it, the headline was about a political ‘war’ between the DMK and TVK. But what stayed with me was something much more important than the blame game behind what had transpired. A writer walking through

Development paradox: Falling poverty miracle and an inequality problem

India’s reduction in poverty over the past decade is a development achievement of considerable significance. The World Bank’s April 2026 ‘India Development Update’ estimates that the share of Indians living below the international extreme-poverty line of $3.00 per person per day i

In Arunachal, a river we call mother

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Siang is not just a river. For many of us, especially the Adi people, it is part of our family. Our grandparents fished in it. Children learned to swim in it. Our farms drink from it. When someone says a huge dam will be built on it, we do not hear the word "project".

A new retelling of the Mahabharata delves into key moments

In a time when every decision carries consequences and questions of ambition, power, loyalty, identity and moral choice continue to shape our lives, Dr. Arun Krishnan’s new book, ‘Mahakshana’ (Penguin India) offers a strikingly relevant retelling of the Mahabharata.  

Cabinet approves viability gap funding to develop grid-scale energy storage systems

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems, with a total financial support of Rs.14,500 crore for the period FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme aims to support the development o

Cabinet creates a pathway to absorb Agniveers in Defence Forces

An objective assessment in terms of organisational requirements and operational efficiency has brought out the outstanding performance of Agniveers in terms of skills, motivation levels, physical fitness and technological prowess. As envisaged earlier, based on merit, 25% of Agniveers will be offered reg

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter