NYT lambasts ‘intimidation’ against reporters in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The New York Times sounded alarm Tuesday over an ‘intimidation campaign’ being waged against two Sri Lankan reporters who assisted the newspaper’s investigation into alleged corruption involving former president Mahinda Rajapakse.

The pair have been subjected to intense personal abuse on social media and public criticism by parliamentarians loyal to Rajapakse since the report was published late last month.

“It is unacceptable for journalists to be intimidated this way. This action appears intended to silence critics and curb press freedoms, and ultimately deprive Sri Lankans of information in the public interest,” the New York Times said in a statement Tuesday.

“The Times expects the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the safety of journalists working for our — or any — news organisation.”

Rajapakse’s son Namal, a local legislator, said ‘at no time’ did he or his father intimidate the journalists.

“Just like the press has a right to criticise politicians, don’t we also have the right to ‘ publicly criticise’ reporting we believe to be faulty?” he posted on Twitter.

The NYT investigation alleges Rajapakse’s campaign took millions in bribes for his failed election bid from a Chinese stateowned company which built a controversial port on the island.

The report also accused Rajapakse’s regime of taking huge loans for the port at massive interest rates.

Sri Lanka has been unable to pay the debt and agreed last year to give China a 70 per cent stake in the strategic port in the Indian Ocean. —AFP

— AFP photo File photo show Indian students and activists, holding ‘I am Gauri’ placards, taking part in a rally held in memory of journalist Gauri Lankesh in Bangalore after she was shot dead by unidentified assailants.