The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in two press releases today (31) clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of two employees of Standard Newspapers Limited; Miss Munisamy Parameshwari and Mr Dushyantha Basnayake.
The Ministry said the clarifications have to be made as the two arrests were largely misinterpreted in both international and local forums as government's attempts to curtail media freedom.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Miss Parameshwari, who was a journalist attached to former local newspaper "Mavubima" the Ministry said that the arrest was made Based on intelligence received by the Special Task Force of the Sri Lanka Police.
"Miss 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 press release said.
Commenting on Miss Parameshwari's acquittal, the press release elucidated:
"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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