Sri Lankan Journalist Arrested Amid Reporting on Corruption Protest Sparks Global Outcry for Press Freedom

Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, KalimNews, October 31, 2024 : Batticaloa-based Tamil journalist Selvakumar Nilanthan was detained by police on October 21, following his coverage of protests against alleged corruption involving a local Sri Lankan government official. His arrest, reportedly without prior notification of renewed legal proceedings, has drawn strong condemnation from international and local media advocacy groups, who are demanding urgent measures to protect Tamil journalists and press freedom in Sri Lanka.

Nilanthan, a correspondent for Tamil Guardian, was taken into custody along with two other individuals on charges related to obstruction of official duties during protests aimed at exposing alleged corrupt practices by Chenkalady Divisional Secretary (DS) in 2020. The journalist, who had been previously released on bail for this case in 2019, was held overnight in an overcrowded and unsanitary Eravur police cell before being granted bail by the Batticaloa District’s Eravur Magistrate the following day. He is required to appear in court on January 20, 2025.

In a turn of events that has alarmed media rights organizations, the case against Nilanthan was unexpectedly reopened on October 9, with authorities failing to notify him prior to his arrest. Over the years, Nilanthan has extensively covered similar issues of alleged official misconduct, particularly in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern regions, a focus that has reportedly exposed him to harassment and intimidation from local authorities. He claims that the harassment has intensified recently, including police visits to his residence and questioning of his family members.

Nilanthan’s arrest has triggered a swift response from international and Sri Lankan media organizations. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joined its affiliates—the Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU), the Free Media Movement (FMM), and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA)—in condemning the arrest and calling on the government to guarantee the safety and freedom of journalists.

“The IFJ condemns the detention of journalist Selvakumar Nilanthan,” the IFJ stated. “Media work in the public interest must not be met with legal harassment or arrests. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to protect journalists and uphold the principles of free expression.”

The Free Media Movement expressed alarm over the escalation of intimidation faced by journalists in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Tamil-populated Northern and Eastern provinces. “This incident exemplifies the pressures journalists encounter when reporting on sensitive public-interest issues. Legal proceedings should never be weaponized to silence the press or discourage reporting on protests,” stated the FMM, demanding an end to the legal harassment of journalists covering stories critical of government actions.

The Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions (FMETU) called the incident "deeply troubling" and emphasized the need to safeguard Tamil journalists, who it notes continue to encounter significant challenges while reporting on sensitive issues in the region. “FMETU will take necessary actions regarding this situation. The statement from the IFJ holds significant importance for Sri Lankan journalists, especially as those from the Northern and Eastern regions continue to face numerous challenges,” the organization declared.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) also voiced its concerns, stating, “We condemn the arrest of S. Nilanthan, whose reporting serves the public’s right to know. Journalism must be safeguarded as a pillar of democracy, and no journalist should be treated as a criminal for fulfilling this duty. We are particularly concerned about this incident and are closely monitoring the situation.”

Nilanthan, who temporarily left Sri Lanka in 2022 to escape alleged harassment from police and anti-terror units, has reported intimidation tactics such as repeated questioning of his family and unexpected police visits to his home. Despite filing multiple complaints with the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission regarding these incidents, Nilanthan claims that no protective measures have been implemented, leaving him vulnerable to ongoing threats.

As Nilanthan’s next court date approaches, media advocacy groups are urging Sri Lankan authorities to uphold the legal rights and safety of journalists, underscoring that a free and independent press is crucial to democracy. The IFJ and its affiliates reiterate their call for legal protections for journalists and a commitment from Sri Lankan authorities to prevent the misuse of legal avenues aimed at silencing the press.

The IFJ is calling for an end to the targeting of journalists in Sri Lanka, urging authorities to ensure justice and reaffirming that the right to report on public-interest issues without fear of retaliation is a fundamental tenet of press freedom.