A developing controversy in Galle has triggered serious press freedom concerns after a journalist who met injured Iranian sailors at Karapitiya Hospital was taken into police custody, prompting strong condemnation from media rights groups.
A controversy has erupted over press freedom in Sri Lanka after journalist Sulochana Ramaiah Mohan was reportedly taken into police custody following a visit to Iranian sailors receiving treatment at Karapitiya Hospital in Galle. The incident has sparked debate about media rights, police conduct, and the freedom of journalists to gather information during sensitive situations.
According to information released by media activists, the Deputy Editor of the Ceylon Today newspaper had visited the hospital to meet Iranian sailors who were admitted for treatment. She was reportedly collecting information related to the incident involving the sailors while performing her professional journalistic duties.
During the visit, individuals identifying themselves as police officers allegedly intervened and obstructed her work. The journalist claims that her notebooks containing reporting notes were forcibly taken and that she was verbally abused during the confrontation.
The situation gained wider attention after the Free Media Movement issued a statement criticizing the alleged police intervention and raising concerns about the safety and independence of journalists operating in Sri Lanka.
Press release
The Free Media Movement strongly condemns the police custody of journalist Sulochana Ramaiah Mohan who met Iranian sailors.
While she was meeting and obtaining information from Iranian sailors receiving inpatient treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, a group claiming to be from the police obstructed her duties and snatched her notebooks, says Ms. Sulochana Ramaiah Mohan, Deputy Editor of the Ceylon Today newspaper.
She also told the Free Media Movement that her complaint states that she encountered this incident while meeting the relevant sailors and obtaining information properly with the assistance of an Iranian embassy official who was there as a translator.
The journalist also said that a police officer and a security officer who obstructed her duty abused her with obscene language.
She stated that she later informed the IGP about this by phone and that it was only after that that she complained to the Galle Police.
When asked about the complaint made by journalist Ms. Sulochana, the Galle Police stated that no such complaint had been received. Ms. Sulochana says that she was not given the number of the complaint she had made.
The Free Media Movement is of the opinion that this incident was an unnecessary police intervention that interfered with the right of the media to freely engage in professional activities. The Free Media Movement strongly condemns this incident and requests the IGP to immediately investigate this matter and take appropriate action.
