Journalist Thangaraja Kandeeban, 42, a resident of Ambattan, Kudattanai, Jaffna, has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding a human rights violation he encountered while covering the news. He lodged the complaint on 7 March against N. Dayananda, an official of the Ministry of Fisheries involved in the violation of his human rights.
The complaint was lodged regarding the obstruction and threat he received while covering the news of the fishermen’s agitation that was launched in front of the Vadamarachchi East Divisional Secretariat on 01 February. He has also requested the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to provide him with protection.
Kandeeban further stated that it was difficult to proceed with the complaint since he did not have any eyewitness accounts and that he has to consider his own safety in the face of the ongoing media repression.
As a freelance journalist, he does not appear to have complained to his superiors about the incident. He says that complaining to officials is of no use and since he has to continue to work with the government officials, he is concerned for his personal safety.
He says he is constantly threatened by anti-social elements as he is identified for gathering and exposing news about illegal activities, stressing that he is well known to the authorities and minor employees and is therefore more likely to face problems. . He further added that he had requested the Human Rights Commission to ensure his safety.
Freelance journalist Thangaraja Kandeeban
This post is also available in: தமிழ் සිංහල
