The World Press Freedom Index 2016, published by Reporters Without Borders noted Sri Lanka's ratings on media freedom improved significantly compared to last year. This year index shows Sri Lanka has improved from being ranked at 165 in last year to 141 this year out of 180 countries.
"By electing Maithripala Sirisena as president, Sri Lanka freed itself of the reign of terror imposed by the Rajapaksa family and its allies. The new government said journalists and cyber-dissidents would no longer have to fear reprisals for their political views or for articles on such sensitive subjects as corruption and the military," it said while noting the improvement of the score.
It also said that the Tamil media – long a target of the authorities, including after the official end of the civil war in 2009 – have seen a decline in harassment and hope it will last.
The country that scored highest in the World Press Freedom Index 2016, published by Reporters Without Borders, was Finland, closely followed by the Netherlands and Norway, while Denmark and New Zealand rounded out the top five.
The country that scored lowest in the rankings of 180 countries, was Eritrea, followed by North Korea, Turkmenistan, the Syrian Arab Republic and China.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has interdicted Colombo Fort Magistrate Kosala Senadheera.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
The Supreme Court today refused interim relief in an application filed by President’s Counsel Senaka Walgampaya seeking an Order from the Supreme Court compelling the President to appoint judges to fill the existing vacancies in the Court Of Appeal.
The deadline for online applications to the 2024 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination has been extended until July 12, the Department of Examinations said.
Gazette on new speed limit regulations to be issued within two weeks
Cabinet has approved a proposed amendment to the Constitution that a referendum would be required to extend the Presidential and Parliamentary term beyond five years.
Leave Comments