Journalist rescued by Army " is out of danger," says US Embassy
[18 Apr 2001]

Britain’s Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin.

Stephen Holgate a senior US embassy official in Colombo said “ Marie Colvin is out of danger and her wounds were not life threatening. She is receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo”.

Colvin a US citizen, was injured in a crossfire between government troops and the LTTE in Vavuniya, April 17, while attempting to return across the frontlines with LTTE help.

Military spokesman Brigadier Sanath Karunaratne said today, army personnel during a search operation after the shooting heard her cries of "Help, help".

Soldiers fetched her and moved her immediately to a field medical unit. Doctors who attended on her had her transferred to a nearby district hospital and then to Colombo for further treatment.

The Government Information Department said, "When this unfortunate incident occurred Marie Colvin’s visa was not valid. It has to be clearly stated for the purpose of record, that Ms. Colvin was given a visa for a period of two weeks beginning from 27 March 2001. Hence, on April 16^th when the visa had expired she should have left the country."

Following this incident, Sri Lankan missions have been advised to be careful and prudent in issuing visas to foreign journalists.

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