SRI LANKA: Journalists’ group appeals for support of its colleagues

By Feizal Samath
AsiaMedia Contributing Writer

The Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum says two journalists are missing and Rs. 21 million of publishing buildings and equipment have been damaged in the wake of the Boxing Day tsunami

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Colombo – A journalists’ group in Sri Lanka on Saturday said the Boxing Day tsunami disaster had a significant impact on provincial reporters: two are missing, 23 are injured, 121 families have been displaced and Rs. 21 million (about $210,000) worth of houses and equipment was destroyed.

In the first detailed report about losses to the media in the country, the Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum (SLEJF) said 48 houses of provincial journalists were washed out and 53 still cameras, seven television cameras, three fax machines, 16 cassette recorders, 11 motorcycles, three bicycles and five mobile phones were either lost or damaged.

Nearly 1,000 members of 121 families of provincial journalists were staying in camps or with friends and relatives after the tsunami hit. While many have returned to their homes, 78 journalist-families still remain displaced.

SLEJF, which maintains a dossier of all journalists in Sri Lanka, said there are 2,121 provincial journalists, most working for local newspapers, radio or television. Of those journalists, 58 percent are from the 14 tsunami-affected districts.

SLEFJ organizers said Rs. 21 million estimated costs include re-construction and renovations and the replacement of professional equipment for provincial journalists. "Some of the reporters lost their families; lost their homes; lost everything they had," said Dharman Wickremaratne, SLEJF Coordinator.

Wickremaratne said three teams from SLEJF traveled to tsunami-effected areas and collected the data. SLEJF is non-profit media organization that was established in January 1987 with support from the Sri Lankan government, UN-ESCAP, UNEP and media organizations.

SLEJF said the Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council, Maheepala Herath, has agreed to donate five houses to provincial journalists in the southern Hambantota district. Foreign journalists have also donated a camera to a needy photojournalist.

The absence of many provincial journalists is significant, says the SLEFJ, because of the important role the media plays in ensuring that rehabilitation and reconstruction activities are devoid of corruption and discrimination. The Sri Lankan media has a vital role in the reconstruction process, says the SLEFJ.

"SLEJF invites both local/international agencies and the public to consider sending financial and resources aid, however modest, to Sri Lankan provincial journalists who are continuing to do their job of informing the people in this devastated area, under the most appalling conditions," it said.


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For information on how to contribute to relief for tsunami-affected Sri Lankan journalists please contact Sri Lanka Environmental Journalists Forum(SLEJF),7B Albert Perera Mw, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. Phone: 011-2873131. Fax: 011-2817803 E-mail:slejf2@sri.lanka.net

Date Posted: 1/16/2005