Democracy blossoming now after a decade of oppression: Poddala Jayantha

President Maithripala Sirisena is credited of bringing a meaningful change in the country and he has been able to change the previous media culture by allowing the media to criticise him, Poddala Jayantha, the former President of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA), said.

Jayantha, who was abducted and tortured during the Rajapaksa regime, fled to the USA to seek political asylum and is now in Colombo for a short vacation, told the Daily FT that democracy is rekindling in the country during the past few months after President Sirisena came into power and the Government needs to continue with this change.

“If former President Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power on 8 January, will he allow the media to speak a word against him? What happened to the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who challenged Rajapaksa at the election? But being the best example, President Sirisena didn’t touch Rajapaksa after he was defeated. This is a notable change in the political culture after a decade of oppression,” he said.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

By Shanika Sriyananda

Q: Can you recall the incident which led to your fleeing the country?

A: During the previous Government, with strong media oppression, they killed The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was very vocal against corruption and violation of human rights. We frequently got threats warning us to stop criticising the Government.

When Lasantha was murdered, we had a strong protest. Over 5,000 people joined us against the Government for suppressing media freedom. There was a huge cut-out of Lasantha where we lit candles in memory of him. While Sanath Balasuriya, President of SLWJA and I and some of our members were lighting candles in front of Lasantha’s cut-out, we got some threatening calls telling us to get ready to go on our final journey soon like Lasantha. We got scared and informed the Indian High Commission, which arranged for us to flee the country within two days. We flew to India and stayed there for two weeks. Except for me, others went to European countries. Despite their opposition, I decided to return to Sri Lanka.

Q: Why did you return?

A: When the President, the Secretary General and some office bearers of the Association are not in the country, what will happened to the Association with over 1,000 members? We had been selected to lead the SLWJA after a tough election competition among all media institutions in the country. During the election campaign we gave lots of promises to journalists to uplift the standards of journalism in the country and also new programs to look after the welfare of the journalists. But by that time President and some other office bearers had already left the country due to threats and intimidation. I felt if I too leave the country, there would be no one to take care of the SLWJA. I decided to return despite all threats.

The SLWJA didn’t have an office for over 30 years and its office was the handbag of whoever who elected as the Secretary General. When I was abducted, all the SLWJA files were in my bag as we didn’t have a place to keep them. But, before we fled to India, we had plans to construct an office with the financial support of a private business lady.

I especially returned as I lived with the dream of completing the office building of the SLWJA during my tenure as the Secretary General of the SLWJA. Therefore I returned and started the construction work.

"Cases like attacking Keith Noyahr, Namal Perera, Upali Tennekoon and myself and assassination cases – D. Sivaram, Lasantha Wickrematunge – still remain as unsolved mysteries. Employees of the Rupavahini Corporation and some other journalists who were either killed or assaulted during the previous regime are also waiting for justice. It is the responsibility of this Government to speed up investigations to bring the culprits to the book

I feel we can now breathe a little fresh air. I see a difference in media freedom but it is not a notable difference as it is still only a few months after defeating the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. Due to scary past experiences, still the journalists are trying to be very obedient to the Government and want to remain as mouthpieces of politicians. Since the voices of Sri Lankan journalists have been suppressed for nearly a decade by the previous Government, this behaviour has been cemented in them. They are afraid to come forward to write against corruption as they are still in fear of threats and intimidation

I believe that our Police officers are efficient enough to find the criminals. Sri Lankan Police investigators have arrested criminals in some of incidents that happened years before. But in my case, Lasantha’s case, and the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Police needs to get the final nod from the higher authorities. We are still waiting hopefully until the higher authorities give the final nod to recommence these investigations

Those who were attacked, intimidated and killed were not in journalism to whitewash corrupt politicians and their goons. We were engaged in voicing for the voiceless people of this country. We stood for their rights. Therefore, if we return, we will engaged in the same mission against whoever who deals with corruption under any government. Is there any guarantee that we will not be attacked? We still feel our lives are under threat as those who are responsible for attacking us are alive

If the Government violates the human rights of the people and when there is no forum for us to voice against and when there is no justice in this country, we still need to tell the story. Then we have no other option other than seeking help internationally to protect our lives and also the lives of those who are still living in the country under constant threats. We didn’t do anything to tarnish the image of the country but we had a struggle abroad to protect the human rights of the people and also to save our lives to carry that our struggle forward. We tried to protect democracy in the country

My mother is an illiterate tea-plucker who worked for daily wages. My father who had little education is a rubber tapper. I hail from a very poor family in Poddala but I completed my Advanced Level amidst financial difficulties. Soon after I sat for my A/Ls I came to Colombo in search of a job. I managed to get a security job at Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. I send my salary home. While being a security guard I started writing for the Ravaya newspaper from 1988. Coming from a very poor family and dreaming to becoming a voice for the voiceless, I will never betray my country

We need journalists who can question the politicians with correct facts and figures. Journalists should be more knowledgeable than politicians. They can fearlessly question anyone including politicians when they have an updated knowledge. But in most of the press conferences, journalists are like stenographers who take notes as they don’t question the politicians. The young reporters write everything the politicians say and ultimately become the voices of the corrupt politicians"

Q: After how many months of your return did they abduct you?

A: I was here for four months. I worked hard to expedite the construction work of the office. In June 2009, I was abducted by unknown men who came in a van while I was returning to my ‘safe house’. It was a narrow road and a white van was parked there. I never thought it was waiting for me. When I was passing the van, two men jumped from the van and dragged me in while another three who followed me pushed me into the van, which only had a backseat. They dropped me on the floor and started assaulting me while the van was moving fast. They took a wooden log and kept it under my left leg and hit it with another wooden log to break the ankle.

With severe pain, I fell unconscious. After assaulting my unconscious body for some time, they had burnt my other leg with a cigarette lighter so I would regain consciousness to give me their last warning. While my body was in pain and burning I heard them threatening me not to appear on television channels against the Government and if I did so in future they would kill me like a dog next time.

There were six strong men like those who were in the military. Then they had cut my hair and beard and put them into my mouth. When I gained conscious after I was dropped on the roadside, I couldn’t shout for help as hair was clogged in my throat. I had a struggle to take the hair out as my hands were tied. I couldn’t stand up as my both legs were damaged. Somehow I managed to get some of hair from my mouth and shouted for help.

Though I was mentally affected badly, I never stopped my mission to voice against the corrupt political culture of the country and human rights violations.

When I was in the Accident Ward, American Ambassador Robert O. Blake visited me and offered me the facility to flee the country. But I said now they would not harm me and I would like to remain in Sri Lanka as I was saddled with some responsibilities.

Q: Even after they abducted, assaulted and tortured you, you didn’t want to seek political asylum abroad. Why?

A: It was mainly because I never wanted to go abroad. This is my country and I wanted to be a voice for the poor people, who were oppressed and cheated by every government. Therefore, I stayed despite threats I got even after they abducted me.

Being disabled and mentally disturbed, I started my work from the hospital bed. Then I again got threatening calls saying that I had not learnt a lesson and had started working against the Government. They again threatened to kill me. Threats became more severe and they asked me whether I started my work because they didn’t kill me.

However, we were able to open the SLWJA building. Discharged from the hospital after 29 days, I came directly for the opening of the building. It was one of the happiest moments in my life. It was a mission accomplished for me.

With the SLWJA opening, I got more threats asking whether we opened the office to do more work against the Government. They had once come in search of my family. I felt that I should go hiding as they would destroy my family and me. I knew that there wouldn’t be a chance for me. I was afraid to go to the clinic to get medicine for my fractured and tortured legs and wounds.

Q: How did you manage to be engaged in investigative journalism despite these threats?

A: I was not allowed to do investigative journalism on bribery and corruption by the then Silumina Editior Karunadasa Suriyaarachchi. He asked me not to write about corruption as the war was going on and such articles on corruption would badly affect the Government. Then he stopped publishing my stories but I didn’t stop hunting for information to expose corruption. Weekly, I wrote to the Lake House CAO complaining that the Editor refrained from publishing my stories. I didn’t want to get my salary without doing my duty for the people.

While death threats, intimidation and killings against journalists were becoming worse, we couldn’t remain silent and we were on streets protesting against those acts. Five media organisations which worked separately got together when the situation got worse. We wanted to become a strong voice against media suppression. We named it the Five Media Organisation and faced the threats.

However, the threats and oppression remained the same and then we formed a new organisation called Movement Against Media Suppression in Sri Lanka, with the support of all the political parties, except the SLFP, civil societies, professional organisations, trade unions and students unions. Our main objective was to face the media oppression by the State. I think it was also one of the main reasons to attack me. I was the Convener of the movement. They wanted to silence me like they silenced Lasantha.

Q: How do you compare the past with the present situation in the country?

A: I feel we can now breathe a little fresh air. I see a difference in media freedom but it is not a notable difference as it is still only a few months after defeating the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government. Due to scary past experiences, still the journalists are trying to be very obedient to the Government and want to remain as mouthpieces of politicians.

Since the voices of Sri Lankan journalists have been suppressed for nearly a decade by the previous Government, this behaviour has been cemented in them. They are afraid to come forward to write against corruption as they are still in fear of threats and intimidation. Though this Government has restored media freedom, the Sri Lankan media has to come out of fear to voice against corruption and other illegal dealings by politicians and their goons. After some time, I see a change but this change has to come from journalists. I think if the present situation with regard to media freedom continues, there will be a positive change in future.

President Maithripala Sirisena is credited of bring a meaningful change in the country. He changed the previous media culture and allows the media to criticise him. If former President Mahinda Rajapaksa came into power, will he allow the media to speak a word against him? What happened to the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who challenged Rajapaksa at the election? But being the best example, President Sirisena didn’t touch Rajapaksa after he was defeated. This is a notable change in the political culture after a decade of oppression. Democracy is rekindling in the country during the past few months after President Sirisena came into power. The Government needs to continue with this change.

Q: The Government promised to reopen investigations into killings, threatening and disappearances of journalists. Your views?

A: I am disappointed as no investigation has been done so far into my incident. Police didn’t even record my statement and they didn’t write down the names of those I suspected of attacking me. The new Government said it would recommence the investigations but nothing has happened so far. Cases like attacking Keith Noyahr, Namal Perera, Upali Tennekoon and myself and assassination cases – D. Sivaram, Lasantha Wickrematunge – still remain as unsolved mysteries. Five Rupavahini employees and some other journalists who were either killed or assaulted during the previous regime are also waiting for justice. It is the responsibility of this Government to speed up investigations.

According to the information I received, I was attacked by the military and it was a well-planned attack. I was abducted from Embuldeniya in the Mirihana Police area and was taken up to Angoda via the High Security Zone along the Parliament. Those days, all vehicles plying on that road was subjected to strict security checks at the checkpoints. This shows that the abductors were given permission to abduct me by the higher defence authorities.

Q: After you arrived in the country, did you contact the authorities regarding the investigation?

A: No, I didn’t discuss with the Government but I have contacted some legal authorities regarding bringing the culprits who attacked me to book. I believe that our Police officers are efficient enough to find the criminals. Sri Lankan Police investigators have arrested criminals in some of incidents that happened years before. But in my case, Lasantha’s case, and the disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda, the Police needs to get the final nod from the higher authorities. We are still waiting hopefully until the higher authorities give the final nod to recommence these investigations.

Q: As you said, there is a difference and a safe situation for media in Sri Lanka now; do you have any plans to return?

A: Yes. As I said earlier, there is a little improvement in the situation. But how can we return when the culprits for abducting, torturing and killing journalists are still unharmed and scot free? With no investigation to do justice for us and also to give guarantee that we will not be touched again, how do you think we can return?

Those who were attacked, intimidated and killed were not in journalism to whitewash corrupt politicians and their goons. We were engaged in voicing for the voiceless people of this country. We stood for their rights. Therefore, if we return, we will engaged in the same mission against whoever who deals with corruption under any government. Is there any guarantee that we will not be attacked? We still feel our lives are under threat as those who are responsible for attacking us are alive.

Q: If the Government brings the culprits before the law, will you be able to return?

A: Yes, we will definitely return to Sri Lanka to serve our people. We belong to this country though we fled to save our lives.

Q: But it is said that most of those who fled Sri Lanka are having comfortable lives abroad. Will they return to the country?

A: It is wrong to say that we are having comfortable lives. We invite those who throw this allegation to visit us to witness the reality. Those who sought political asylum struggle to live. When you seek political asylum in a European country, you will be looked after until you settle down. But in the USA, the Government grants legal status to live but they will not be given financial support. Despite my disability, I worked in a 7-11 supermarket and even did a labourer job at a construction site to live.

Most importantly we who were threatened, attacked and tortured still suffer from mental trauma. The past is always haunting us. When I walk on the streets, I always suspect that someone is following me. We were also under the microscope of Sri Lankan Intelligence teams there. We always live in fear. A story of a political asylum seeker is not so rosy.

Q: There are claims that some journalists sought political asylum on bogus claims. Is it true?

A: Yes, there are some who went on bogus claims. They took the opportunity of the situation during the Rajapaksa regime. They have prepared passports for their families a few years earlier and got ready to use the opportunity. They made use of the situation to flee the country. Some journalists who had no threats also fled the country. The Rajapaksa regime is responsible for this situation. Within a year of the Rajapaksa Government coming into power we started getting threats but most of those journalists who were really threatened remained despite all warnings and threats. But I agree that some used the opportunity to go abroad with their families.

It is bad for a country’s democratic statues when there are so many political asylum seekers. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Sirisena Government to create a safe environment for journalists and others to live in the country.

Q: You and others who fled the country were tagged as traitors by the previous Government. Did you engage in any activity to tarnish the image of the Government?

A: We didn’t have any such motives. If the Government violates the human rights of the people and when there is no forum for us to voice against and when there is no justice in this country, we still need to tell the story. Then we have no other option other than seeking help internationally to protect our lives and also the lives of those who are still living in the country under constant threats. We didn’t do anything to tarnish the image of the country but we had a struggle abroad to protect the human rights of the people and also to save our lives to carry that our struggle forward. We tried to protect democracy in the country.

If someone says that I am a traitor, I would like to invite him to go through my articles to see what I have written until I fled the country. All my writings are printed and anyone can go through them. I have written about bribery and corruption. While I was continuously writing and no one took action to stop corruption, I lodged complaints with the Bribery Commission. If I am a traitor, I wouldn’t have done all this.

My mother is an illiterate tea-plucker who worked for daily wages. My father who had little education is a rubber tapper. I hail from a very poor family in Poddala but I completed my Advanced Level amidst financial difficulties. Soon after I sat for my A/Ls I came to Colombo in search of a job. I managed to get a security job at Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. I send my salary home. While being a security guard I started writing for the Ravaya newspaper from 1988. Coming from a very poor family and dreaming to becoming a voice for the voiceless, I will never betray my country.

Q: What is your involvement with the Journalists for Democracy (JDS)?

A: When they started, I was helping the JDS. But with economic difficulties as the breadwinner of the family I didn’t have time to actively contribute to the JDS, so I didn’t get involved with them.

Q: If you are given a chance to train young journalists, what do you expect them to be in future?

A: I want the journalists to write the truth but not mislead people using religion, politics and culture. I am very sad when I see some ministers make journalists jokers by giving harsh answers when they ask questions at press conferences. This happens as those journalists lack knowledge to ask questions in return from the Minister and also because they fear intimidation. I have seen most of the present day journalists wanting to be in the good books of the ministers. This gives a good cover-up for the shady deals of certain politicians.

We need journalists who can question the politicians with correct facts and figures. Journalists should be more knowledgeable than politicians. They can fearlessly question anyone including politicians when they have an updated knowledge. But in most of the press conferences, journalists are like stenographers who take notes as they don’t question the politicians. The young reporters write everything the politicians say and ultimately become the voices of the corrupt politicians.

What I have noticed is that, with many media channels and newspapers booming, becoming a journalist has become a trend. But they need to know that the prime responsibility of a journalist is to become a voice for the voiceless.

I have not undergone any foreign training courses but I gained knowledge through reading. I dream of a media culture where Sri Lankan media is powerful and safe.

I have a request to our fellow journalists and also those who aspiring to become journalists: Don’t attack a person personally without knowing the rights facts and information even though he deals with corruption. Do not use the pen or the camera to destroy a person through media with false allegations and don’t dance to the tune of the politicians to sling mud on another.

I would like to recall my personal experience. After I fled the country and when the State media was attacking me as a traitor, one of the State media TV channels used my teenage daughter’s picture to attack me. They showed a picture of her with me to say that ‘Poddala Jayantha is living with a young woman’ in the USA. I was shocked and it was like I was killed alive as a father. When you write to attack or expose something, do it with responsibility.

Q: What are your thoughts about the present demand for ‘clean and educated’ members in the next Parliament?

A: It is good news and a result of promoting good governance. It is the result of the change that President Sirisena talked about throughout his campaign. We should have educated and qualified people to represent us. This is a good dialogue and a good sign for a better future.

At this election people should vote wisely as through their votes they give those who contest a value to become parliamentarians. It is our responsibility to see whether the right people enter into Parliament to make decisions for us in the future.