As the journalists of Associated Press (AP) were going to Batticaloa yesterday morning (08), they were stopped at Karawankerni junction. After checking their media credentials, Army said that they had no permission to report the election. When questioned why they were not allowed, Army said that 232 Brigade had ordered not to allow foreign journalists and they had to return.
The AP journalists went to Batticaloa yesterday (08) and stayed in a hotel. They were not allowed at least to go to the hotel to collect their clothes and other equipment. Later they had to call the hotel and tell the staff to put their bags into the vehicle they sent, said a AP journalist to 'isoorya
However, General Palitha Fernando of the Ministry of Defense said that the Ministry had not issued such order. When 'Lanka-e-News' explained the incident the AP journalists faced, General Fernando said that there was an order to prevent the foreigners entering the area for three days without Ministry permission due to security reasons but it was not relevant to the journalists.
However, General Palitha Fernando of the Ministry of Defense said that the Ministry had not issued such order. When 'Lanka-e-News' explained the incident the AP journalists faced, General Fernando said that there was an order to prevent the foreigners entering the area for three days without Ministry permission due to security reasons but it was not relevant to the journalists.
However a AP journalist said to 'Lanka-e-News' that when they reached Ottamawadi junction, the Army officials who kept a slip of paper on which their vehicle number was scribbled stopped them and adivsed them to leave the Eastern Province as soon as possible along main roads without getting to by roads.
Army media spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that any media person holding the credentials issued by the Government Information Department could go to the Eastern Province. Brigadier Nanayakkara further said that the obstacle the AP journalists faced had now been corrected.
People's Action for Fair and Free Election (PAFFREL) writing a letter to the Election Commissioner, stated that the right of the people to know truth would be violated if there was an order from the Ministry of Defense not to allow the journalists to enter into the Eastern Province.
Army media spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that any media person holding the credentials issued by the Government Information Department could go to the Eastern Province. Brigadier Nanayakkara further said that the obstacle the AP journalists faced had now been corrected.
People's Action for Fair and Free Election (PAFFREL) writing a letter to the Election Commissioner, stated that the right of the people to know truth would be violated if there was an order from the Ministry of Defense not to allow the journalists to enter into the Eastern Province.
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