By Kushali Atukorale
Media and non-media organisations rallied in Colombo yesterday to voice their disapproval against attempts to suppress information and media organisations.

The Movement Against Media Suppression launched a protest demonstration in front of the Fort Railway Station yesterday, in order to protect the rights of the free media, which have been blocked by the present government.

The Movement charged that the government has suppressed the media and is violating the people’s right to information. Free Media Movement Convenor Sunanda Deshapriya told The Bottom Line that the FMM is looking forward to organising an island-wide demonstration against the restriction of media freedom in the country.

“With the help of civil society, we will be organising several demonstrations to win media freedom for the people of the country,” he vowed
He further pointed out that the FMM will be organising several provincial campaigns and petition campaigns in order to fight against the suppression of the media.

“We won’t stop until the government takes action to restore the free media,” Deshapriya said. “What is the point if we aren’t able to convey the truth to the general public?” he queried.

Health Employees Union Convenor Saman Rathnapriya speaking at the protest said, “Media freedom is the prime factor in a democratic system. Therefore, it should be guarded rather than restricted.”
He further said that they will be fighting until they win the right to information since it is the only way to know what is happening in the country.

Teachers’ Union Treasurer H. D. Nishantha speaking to The Bottom Line said that the government has restricted the ABC Network and today the people do not know what is happening in the country since their right to information has been hampered by this act.

“The government, using all its power, has restricted media freedom with the help of military power. As a result, the public has not been made aware about the true condition of the country,” National Land Reforms Movement Youth Convenor R.M. Charitha charged.