So far minster or the government has not produced any evidence to prove the story. Eknaligoda has serious diabetic condition from age 15, takes two insulin injections daily and also medication after open heart, bypass surgery. All attempts to trace him by loved ones have failed so far. Serious concerns has been raised that he will not survive without medication for more than 4-7 days.

* Editor arrested and newspaper office sealed

Editor Chanadana Sirimalwatta of Sinhala language weekly Lanka was arrested on 30 January 2010 by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka police. No reason was given. Soon after his arrest Lanka newspaper office was sealed by the CID. Lanka news paper played a crucial role in presidential election campaign of defeated candidate Sarath Fonseka. Lanka news paper faced constant intimidation form the authorities during the whole year 2010.

* lankaenews editor receives 40 death threats in 45 minutes

www.lankaenews.com remains blocked in Sri Lanka . Its office entrance was padlocked by a group of 10 wearing balck on the night on 29 January 2010. On the same night lankaenews editor Sanda ruwan Senadeera received 40 threatening phone calls within 45 minutes. During last two days lanakenews barely managed to upload news. They are operating form unknown location, their office being padlocked and has come under constant surveillance. The editor works under life threatening situation.

* MTV network license to be canceled?

According to Sunday Times government has decided to cancel the license of MTV television net work. This is the only TV network telecast critical content and give space for political opposition. The network has been under constant intimidation over the years. On 06 January 2009 the main station was attacked with fire arms and set on fire. State controlled TV network Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC) mounted a huge attack on the MTV network in its news bulletin on 30 January 2010. ITN the second state controlled TV network followed it with a more fearful attack in its news bulletin on the same day.

* Chinese IT experts to police internet/Face book

Authorities are monitoring the user activities of Facebook and Twitter social networking sites as some members of these networks allegedly defame prominent personalities and spread false rumours against the government. A special team at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) is already monitoring the user activities on Facebook, LAKBIMAnEWS learns. “A special team is randomly monitoring activity on social networking sites. The government is worried about false notes on Facebook that criticize the election results giving false allegations and openly doubting the validity and the legitimacy of the result,” a TRC source said.

“The order has been given by the government to monitor activities of Facebook and Twitter and monitor how the trend continues.” Already the TRC has tracked down some IP addresses of many Facebook users who have been spreading false allegations. Also the TRC is to receive the support of a special team from China as they are experts in tracking down disgruntled elements.

* Journalist leaders sacked/suspended

State controlled media has started to get rid of journalists who did not obey political orders of the government and criticized the biased coverage of recently concluded presidential election. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC) has dismissed senior programme producer Herburt Kumara Alagiyawanna by delivering the letter to his home. At least four others including programme producers Kanachana Marasinghe, Gamini Pushpakumara, were suspended on 30th . On 31 January 2010 10 media workers of state controlled Independent Television Net work (ITN). Reliable sources say that more journalists and media workers are to be suspended on coming days.

* SLRC target another activist

State controlled SLRC unleashed a incriminating attack on Ruwan Ferdinandas on its 31 January 2010 8.00pm main news bulletin linking him to banned website www.lankanewsweb.com . lankanewsweb has been banned in Sri Lanka for more than four moths now and it publishes critical content and oppositional views and news.

* Number of journalists in hiding in Colombo

Number of journalists who were indentified with the campaign of defeated presidential candidate General( Retired) Saratha Fonseka are in hiding in Colombo to evade imminent arrest or abduction. Well respected English weekly reported today that defeated candidate General(Retired) Sarath Fonseka will be arrested soon. State controlled media broadcast cooked up news items saying that group of journalists were part of the conspiracy General( Retired) Sarath Fonseka had planned to capture power. Media circles in Colombo believes that state media is creating the ground to justify number of journalists on treason charges.

* Media organizations appeal for international solidarity and advocacy

The strongest and most representative journalist collective, 5 media organization x(Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Federation of Media Employees Trade Unions, Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, Free Media Movement) has appealed international press freedom and democratic rights organizations to do their utmost in pressuring government of Sri Lanka to respect media freedom in the country. These organizations and their activists are taking a huge risk in defending press freedom in a increasingly precarious situation on Sri Lanka

Related article: Government moves against media raise fears for Sri Lankan democracy [Times, UK]