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Where is Sri Lanka crisis in the media?
Written by: Andrew Stroehlein
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Given the gravity of the situation in Sri Lanka, it's shocking how little the international media are paying it any attention at all.
In case you haven't heard, some 150,000 civilians are currently trapped in Sri Lanka's northern Wanni region, caught between the Sri Lankan military, who are shelling them, and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who shoot at them if they try to flee.
The humanitarian crisis is dire. Thousands have already been killed and many more wounded, and tens of thousands are facing death or injury due to fighting and lack of food, water and medicine.
Crisis Group has just issued a Conflict Risk Alert on this situation, and I am trying to get some journalists interested in covering it. The international community needs to take immediate action, but with the pathetic media profile this crisis has, I'm not sure it's very high on the political priority ladder.
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3 responses to “Where is Sri Lanka crisis in the media?”
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Journalist Andrew Stroehlein is Communications Director for the International Crisis Group, the conflict resolution organisation, where he promotes responsible coverage of current and potential conflicts and helps draw attention to forgotten wars around the world.
09 Mar 2009 16:59:35 GMT
srilankan crises come in this website http://www.tamilskynews.com/
09 Mar 2009 22:43:16 GMT
No local or international media has free access to the Srilankan conflict areas and Srilankan government is actively waging another war against the local and international media. This situation is further aggravated by misleading information's coming out from the pro government media regarding the number of refugees and LTTE's activities in the conflict areas. IRC which is the only international aid agency functioning in the conflict areas has given the numbers of refugees as close upon 300,000 before Mullaitheevu and killinochi district fell into government forces, now with the entire two districts under government control the number of refugees will be more than 300,000. So far IRC has ferried out over 25oo badly injured and 35,000 have moved to to Camps run by government armed forces are undergoing torture and security investigations.
Another accusations leveled against the LTTE is that they are shooting at refugees fleeing away into the army controlled area which is actively denied by LTTE and still many civilians living in protected areas are refusing to move out fearing army atrocities on them. Most of these standard civilians are innocent cultivators and fishermen who moved to live in LTTE areas seven years ago after the ceasefire came into operation just because of freedom they enjoyed in working in these areas. During the peace time production of food and fish was great because of these peoples, now they fear for their life in moving away to army control camps for security screening and investigations. Without understanding these difficulties UN and some foreign powers are trying to move these innocent civilians away from their dwelling places to the army and Government control Camps. Media outlets in Srilankan capital Colombo and elsewhere are under great strain by government armed groups several journalist were killed and a leading media broadcasting station was burned dawn in daylight by musked armed men. Several Tamil civilians and business peoples are kidnapped in daylight for Ransom and killed resulting in no inquiry no arrest and no court action of any sort on these armed men. The plight of refugees who are now pushed along a small stretch of barren land facing sea has no access to water,food, fire wood or proper living condition. The area is coming under severe fighting killing hundreds daily and injuring badly many. Only if peace is declared by the government of Srilanka and LTTE as requested by UN and many countries this dangerous trend in this area can be brought under control without further life losses.10 Mar 2009 14:46:41 GMT
Media is gagged by the Government.Media is reluctant to go near the LTTE area, as there is no guarantee for their life.There is no answer to the statement that LTTE are killing fleeing civilians excepting denial by LTTE.It took nearly six years for LTTE to own up Rajiv Gandhi's killing,stating 'it is a trgic event'. Cease fire bySriLankan Goverment?-to enable LTTE to regroup?Is it the intention of the writer to retain the civilians in the war zone?Is it the fate of the Tamilians to die either at the hands of Army or LTTE?Every Tamil should ponder-Do they want to remain refugees for life and leave their generations stateless just to satisfy the ego of an egotistic megalomaniac, using Tamil and Tamil race as a cover for criminal and murderous activities,including the killing of Tamil leaders? Do not call me names for I am a Tamilian