Condemnation of the Unlawful Obstruction and Harassment of Media Personnel at Karapitiya Hospital
Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa,
Hon. Minister of Mass Media,
Ministry of Mass Media,
Colombo.
Hon. Minister,
Condemnation of the Unlawful Obstruction and Harassment of Media Personnel at Karapitiya Hospital
The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) in its vehement condemnation of the recent assault on press freedom involving Ms. Sulochana Ramiah Mohan, Deputy Editor of Ceylon Today. The Incident On March 9, 2026, while conducting a legitimate interview with Iranian maritime survivors at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Ms. Ramiah Mohan was subjected to:
- Verbal Abuse: Targeted with obscene language and intimidation by individuals identifying as police officers.
- Theft of Property: The forcible and unlawful seizure of her professional reporting notes and equipment.
- Obstruction of Justice: A deliberate attempt to shield a matter of public interest from transparent reporting.
We view this incident as a grave violation of the fundamental right to information and the safety of media workers. The use of “lack of records” at the local station as a justification for these actions is an unacceptable evasion of accountability.
Demands for Action We urgently call upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Ministry of Public Security to:
- Identify and Discipline: Conduct an immediate, impartial inquiry into the officers involved.
- Restoration of Property: Ensure the immediate return of all seized journalistic materials to Ms. Ramiah Mohan.
- Policy Reform: Issue a clear directive to all field officers regarding the legal protections afforded to journalists.
We stand in unwavering solidarity with Sulochana Ramiah Mohan. A threat to one journalist is a threat to the democratic fabric of our entire nation.
Signed,
Tharindu Uduwaragedara
General Secretary,
Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU)