State-controlled Sri Lankan television station Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) has sent four of its journalists on compulsory leave after they submitted a letter stating that their professional rights had been disrespected and damaged.
According to the Free Media Movement (FMM), SLRC Producers' Union Chairman Kanchana Marasinghe, Organiser Herbert Kumara Alagiyawanna, Athula Peiris and Ravi Abewickrama also distributed leaflets to other staff related to the letter.
SLRC has claimed that the journalists distributed the leaflets during working hours, however according to sources from FMM the leaflets were distributed outside of the institution and before working hours began.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has voiced its support for the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association’s (SLWJA) attempts to reach an amicable solution through negotiations with the Sri Lankan government.
IFJ affiliate FMM also supported the SLRC Producers Union in their actions and maintained that the journalists had a right to distribute the leaflets as an expression of their fundamental democratic rights.
IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqui Park said, “Forcing these journalists to go on leave is unnecessary, unjust and a clear breach of their professional rights. The IFJ calls on the SLRC to negotiate with the journalists and their Association.”
