Parameshwari arrest not a media freedom issue
[Friday, June 01, 2007 - 10.15 GMT]   

The arrest and detention of journalist Ms. Munisamy Parameshwari was unrelated to her professional career, and was purely based on her alleged involvement in abetting terrorism, states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on this matter. 

The Foreign Ministry statement seeks to clarify the circumstances under which Ms. Parameshwari was arrested and detained in view of it receiving considerable attention in Sri Lanka and abroad, with attempts to explain her arrest as an issue involving media freedom. 

Here is the text of the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to clarify the circumstances under which Ms Munisamy Parameshwari was arrested, as this incident has received considerable attention in Sri Lanka and abroad and there have been attempts to explain her arrest as a media freedom issue. 

Based on intelligence received by the Special Task Force of the Sri Lanka Police, Munisami Parameshwari was arrested on 23rd November 2006, in respect
of her alleged involvement in abetting a LTTE female suicide cadre named Thambirasa Susanthi, by providing her with accommodation in Colombo. Her arrest and subsequent detention was in accordance with provisions of the Emergency Regulations.   

The suspect was a journalist attached to a company publishing a newspaper. However, her arrest and detention was unrelated to her professional career,
and was purely based on her alleged involvement in abetting terrorism. 

Following the completion of the investigation, the Attorney General reviewed the available material for the purpose of instituting criminal proceedings. Though there existed a volume of incriminatory material against
Parameshwari, the availability of material admissible against the suspect in a court of law was insufficient and hence the Attorney General advised the
police to discharge the suspect. Accordingly, the suspect was discharged by the Magistrate on 22nd March 2007.

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Last Updated Date: June 01, 2007 - 10.15 GMT