One journalist barred, another expelled
Suspect anger over documentaries critical of the government to blame
- ucanews.com reporter, Colombo
- Sri Lanka
- June 8, 2012
A London-based Channel 4 television director and his wife were blacklisted from Sri Lanka this week, after the station aired two documentaries about the country’s civil war that angered officials.
Stuart Cosgrove and his wife Shirani Sabaratnam, a Tamil editor and news presenter, traveled Sunday to Sri Lanka, where Sabaratnam was detained at the airport.
“There was a problem with my wife's visa due to a new online computer system. She remained at airport immigration and I went on to our apartment,” Cosgrove told allmediascotland.com. “It was a national holiday, and, since communication was difficult, immigration asked us to return to Dubai, our port of embarkation, and secure new visas. We were treated courteously throughout and there was no great drama.”
However, Chulananda Perera, Immigration and Emigration Controller Chief, told media the pair had been blacklisted and asked to leave the country.
Channel 4 television produced the documentary "Sri Lanka's Killing Fields," which aired last year, and its sequel, "War Crimes Unpunished," which was broadcast to coincide with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in March this year.
The two documentaries accused Sri Lankan troops of committing war crimes during the military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"Channel 4’s controversial documentaries discredited and defamed the country," said Perera.
More than 26 years of civil war ended three years ago when government forces seized the last area controlled by the LTTE.
“If the government respects the right of expression, they should allow media personnel to enter into the country freely,” said Chandana Sirimalwatte of Journalists for Democracy.
The incident occurred as Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was in London for the Queen’s diamond jubilee. About 500 Tamil and human rights protesters reportedly gathered for his arrival, and he subsequently canceled a planned speech.
Related reports
Thousands protest against UNHRC
‘Use war report,’ say religious leaders
Stuart Cosgrove and his wife Shirani Sabaratnam, a Tamil editor and news presenter, traveled Sunday to Sri Lanka, where Sabaratnam was detained at the airport.
“There was a problem with my wife's visa due to a new online computer system. She remained at airport immigration and I went on to our apartment,” Cosgrove told allmediascotland.com. “It was a national holiday, and, since communication was difficult, immigration asked us to return to Dubai, our port of embarkation, and secure new visas. We were treated courteously throughout and there was no great drama.”
However, Chulananda Perera, Immigration and Emigration Controller Chief, told media the pair had been blacklisted and asked to leave the country.
Channel 4 television produced the documentary "Sri Lanka's Killing Fields," which aired last year, and its sequel, "War Crimes Unpunished," which was broadcast to coincide with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in March this year.
The two documentaries accused Sri Lankan troops of committing war crimes during the military operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"Channel 4’s controversial documentaries discredited and defamed the country," said Perera.
More than 26 years of civil war ended three years ago when government forces seized the last area controlled by the LTTE.
“If the government respects the right of expression, they should allow media personnel to enter into the country freely,” said Chandana Sirimalwatte of Journalists for Democracy.
The incident occurred as Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse was in London for the Queen’s diamond jubilee. About 500 Tamil and human rights protesters reportedly gathered for his arrival, and he subsequently canceled a planned speech.
Related reports
Thousands protest against UNHRC
‘Use war report,’ say religious leaders
