A coalition of six Sri Lankan media organisations has strongly condemned what it described as a campaign of hate speech, insults and incitement to violence targeting Sandya Ekneligoda following the reimprisonment of Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.
In a joint statement issued on Oct. 12, the organisations warned that the campaign could endanger Ekneligoda’s safety and further fuel a culture of hatred in the country.
The organisations said Ekneligoda had been seeking truth and justice for more than 16 years over the disappearance of her husband, journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, and should not face threats over decisions made through a lawful judicial process.
They noted that Gnanasara Thera was sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment in August 2018 after being convicted of contempt of court in connection with proceedings relating to Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance.
Although he was released under a presidential pardon in May 2019, the Supreme Court subsequently invalidated the pardon, resulting in his return to prison.
The media organisations stressed that the original complaint against Gnanasara Thera had been referred to the Court of Appeal by the Homagama magistrate, while Sandya Ekneligoda represented an aggrieved party in the proceedings.
They rejected attempts to hold her responsible for the monk’s imprisonment.
While reaffirming their commitment to freedom of expression, the organisations said such freedom could not justify threats, incitement or campaigns encouraging violence against individuals or communities.
They called on the authorities to take immediate steps to ensure Ekneligoda’s safety, uphold the rule of law and prevent further escalation.
The organisations also urged political and religious leaders to reject attempts to exploit religious and ethnic sensitivities for political or other benefits.
The joint statement was issued by the Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU), South Asian Women in Media (SWAM), Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF) and Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA). (Newswire)
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