by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“Our strength is pen”, We will continue to write, even our hands are chopped”, “We will not stop writing”. These were some of the slogans shouted during the protest last week in front of the Fort Railway Station. It was organized by the Movement Against Media Suppression (MAMS). Free Media Movement, Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance and Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum have joined hands to fight for media freedom in Sri Lanka. The journalists, civil rights activists and human rights activists who support the decision to have a protest against the media suppression have participated.
All assembled in front of the Fort Railway Station just after noon time, and staged a protest. Some stared to shout slogans for media freedom, while women rights activists started to sing slogans. After one hour all stared to move towards the World Market, and came back to the Fort Railway Station.The attention of the protest was caught by vendors, passengers and passers-by.
The protest is to continue in other parts of the Island as well
Journalists holding placards during the protest
Journalist Manjula Vediwardana shouts slogans
Women rights activists sings slogans
Civil rights organisations joined the protest
“Journalism is a sacred profession. It should be respected by all” said Maubima journalist Parameswart Munusamy
Journalists activley participated in the protest
Journalists are concerned about the current media situation in the country
Activists from all ethnicity participated
“Media freedom should be recognised and respected without asking” said The Sunday Leader journalist Arthur Wanaman
The importance of the rights was stressed
Photojournalist of Reuters Buddhika Weerasinghe takes photos of the protest
“We will write till we die”
Protesters continued with slogans to have free media in the country
Civil rights activists taking part in protest
Journalists are the eyes and ears of the public
[HumanityAshore] – [E Mail: dushi.pillai@gmail.com]
