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Sri Lanka censors war reporting Sri Lanka 'drops war censorship'
(about 2 hours later)
Sri Lanka's government has announced measures to censor reporting of the island's civil war. Sri Lanka's government says it is lifting measures to restrict reporting of the island's civil war, just hours after news of the censorship emerged.
It will be illegal to report material "which pertains to any proposed operations or military activity" by the security forces, the government says. The cabinet decided to withdraw the law because of the improved behaviour of the media, a government spokesman said.
Those convicted of breaching the order face being imprisoned for up to five years and fined. He said the measures were imposed after inaccurate reporting of rebel attacks by some independent radio stations.
Fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels seeking autonomy in the north and east has worsened in recent months.Fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels seeking autonomy in the north and east has worsened in recent months.
Jail termsJail terms
The new emergency reporting measures were published in a public security ordinance, which the BBC has seen. The emergency reporting measures were introduced on Monday in a public security ordinance, which the BBC and other media organisations saw only on Wednesday.
As well as banning coverage of planned military operations, the regulations prohibit reporting "the proposed acquisition of arms, ammunition or other equipment, including aircraft or naval vessels by the armed forces or the police". It is still not fully clear what persuaded the government to performed its apparent about-turn.
Sri Lankan government spokesman Lakshman Hulugalle told the BBC he expected the cabinet to formally withdraw the ordinance on Wednesday or Thursday.
The measures, which remain in force until then, say it will be illegal to report material "which pertains to any proposed operations or military activity" by the security forces.
Those convicted of breaching the order face being imprisoned for up to five years and fined.
Reporting "the proposed acquisition of arms, ammunition or other equipment, including aircraft or naval vessels by the armed forces or the police" is also banned.
The ordinance adds: "Any person who prints, publishes, distributes or transmits any material in contravention of the provisions... shall on conviction after trial before the high court without a jury or a magistrate be liable to rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than three months and not exceeding five years".The ordinance adds: "Any person who prints, publishes, distributes or transmits any material in contravention of the provisions... shall on conviction after trial before the high court without a jury or a magistrate be liable to rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than three months and not exceeding five years".
Fines will range from 500 Sri Lankan rupees ($4.5) to 5,000 rupees.Fines will range from 500 Sri Lankan rupees ($4.5) to 5,000 rupees.
It remains unclear how the censorship will be policed. The government notice says a "competent authority" will be appointed to enforce the measures. It was unclear how the censorship would be policed. The government notice said a "competent authority" would be appointed to enforce the measures.
A senor official at the information ministry said officials were still working out how to implement the new law, the AFP news agency reports.
FightingFighting
Similar reporting restrictions were in place for three years up to May 2001.Similar reporting restrictions were in place for three years up to May 2001.
In February 2002, the government and the Tamil Tigers agreed a ceasefire and held a number of rounds of peace talks.In February 2002, the government and the Tamil Tigers agreed a ceasefire and held a number of rounds of peace talks.
The peace process broke down after the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in late 2005.The peace process broke down after the election of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in late 2005.
Clashes have intensified since then and the truce has long been dead in all but name.Clashes have intensified since then and the truce has long been dead in all but name.
Observers say the two sides now seem to be gearing up for a major confrontation in the north of the country.Observers say the two sides now seem to be gearing up for a major confrontation in the north of the country.
Despite losing territory in the east earlier this year, the rebels still control a vast swathe of land in the north.Despite losing territory in the east earlier this year, the rebels still control a vast swathe of land in the north.