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Journalists Protest Press Burning Amidst Anger and Frustration

"We will fight for media freedom till we fall", "We do not want another commission to investigate the attacks on journalists and media houses", "Our journey will continue despite threats".

Journalists shouted slogans while showing anger and frustration.

The protest was held on November 23rd 2007 in front of the Fort Railway Station at 12.30pm. Civil society activists, human rights activists and women rights activists joined the protest.

With the media under fire, the protesters demanded to safeguard the journalists.

This protest was organized by Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Unions, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum to condemn the attack on the printing press of the Sunday Leader newspaper.

Journalists joined hands to protest against the media suppression

"Journalists are suppressed. We will continue to protest till media freedom is respected" said Secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Poddala Jayantha

Sri Lanka is placed on 156th place by Reporters Sans Frontières in the World Press Freedom Index 2007

Nava Sama Samaja Party leader Dr.Wikamabahu Karunaratne participating at the protest

A Senior Police Officer is seen having a chat with Veteran journalist D. F. Kariyakarawana, during the protest

"Women of Sri Lanka will support media freedom" said women's rights activist Nimalka Fernando

Protesters demanded the freedom to information should be guaranteed

Vasudeva Nanyakkara participating in the protest

Police officers were kept on alert, during the protest by the journalists

Independent and transparent investigations on the arson attack at the Sunday Leader printing press was demanded during the protest

Sanath Balasuriya protesting with his colleagues

The protestors also shouted slogans against the Police for not taking prompt action on the attack of the printing press of the Sunday Leader

"We do not want another commission to investigate"

Journalists vowed to continue the protest if assurance is not given

Sri Lanka joins five other nations, Ethiopia, Nepal, Russia, Venezuela and Zimbabwe, on the International Press Institute's watch list. Vienna based watchdog said that, the journalists are targeted in Sri Lanka as the civil war has heated up in the recent years

Friday, November 23, 2007

This protest was organized by Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Unions, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum to condemn the attack on the printing press of the Sunday Leader newspaper