Sri Lanka: Journalist arrested for defaming court

26 Apr 11 | Index Index, minipost, News and features

Police on Monday (25 April) arrested a journalist working for the independent website, Lanka eNews. Shantha Wijeysooria was arrested at the website’s offices in Colombo for alleged contempt of court. The charges relate to an April 19 article which allegedly defamed the court’s honour by suggesting that it was holding two suspects in custody in contravention of the attorney general’s written order to release them. The paper issued an apology on 22 April.

Sri Lanka: Police porn-star hunt meets media resistance

10 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost

Sri Lankan newspapers have refused to participate in a police campaign to track down people who have starred in pornographic films. The crackdown is part of a broader crusade against “moral crimes”, including “indecent” advertising on film billboards. The police want newspapers to run mugshots of over 80 people but all the national daily newspapers bar one have refused to print the photographs. Those actors caught face six months in prison and a 90 dollar fine.