Description

Several journalists, administrators and other staff of state media institutions such as the Lake House,National Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and Independent Television Network (ITN) were reported to have been threatened, blocked and forcibly removed from their positions after Mahinda Rajapaksha was appointed as the Prime Minister. According to Lake House sources,group of Rajapaksha supporters had forcibly changed the layouts of next day newspapers on 26th of October. Staff of the weekend papers had also been forced to publish as she was unable to carry out her editorial duties. Meanwhile, several journalists of ITN including Deputy General Manager –News and Current Affairs
Subash Jayawardane were forced out, after receiving information they may be attacked. On 28th October (Sunday), media reported that Chairperson of Rupavahini Corporation and the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the ITN had not been at the institutions since the night of 26th October.