“Can’t change everything for CHOGM”: Keheliya

Friday, 1 November 2013 03:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The two Australian nationals who were detained by authorities will be charged on investigations, said the Government yesterday, staunchly defending its right to take action against them. Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Jacqui Park and another IFJ member were detained for questioning and told to leave the country by Immigration officials on Wednesday, according to reports. The incident, which took place ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), was criticised as showing Sri Lanka’s already lacklustre record for media freedom under a poor light. However, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella defended the move insisting that the two officials had not obtained accreditation as per regulations clearly set out in visa procedures. “Any journalist coming to Sri Lanka has to obtain accreditation and these two had not done that. Just because CHOGM is being held does not mean that we can change everything for it, not everything can be sacrificed for CHOGM. There are clear guidelines and those have not been followed so our authorities have the right to take action,” he emphasised. Rambukwella also charged that the two people have conducted a seminar despite contrary reports circulating that they merely attended a seminar conducted on media freedom in Sri Lanka. Nonetheless, the Minister stressed that such issues need to be outlined by Immigration officials and Police. Visas for journalists coming to cover CHOGM will be released within the next few days, he added.

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