Sri Lankan Govt Allows Free Media Access to War AreasThe Sri Lankan government lifted on Monday restrictions placed on media personnel to travel to the war-torn north and east of the island country, the state-run Daily News reported on Tuesday.The Special Media Information Center said in a statement that journalists who intend to report activities and civil life in the war areas are now free to travel there. Earlier, approval from the Defense Ministry had to be obtained to enter these areas. Pro-Tamil Tiger rebel media organizations had attempted to portray a negative and misleading picture on the government and security forces activities in the war areas. Now journalists could visit these areas in order to obtain first hand information, the statement said. Earlier this year, the government lifted censorship on news items concerning the war between government forces and Tamil rebels in the north and east of the country. The censorship was imposed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga under tough emergency laws in May last year when Tamil rebels intensified their attacks against government troops in northern Jaffna Peninsula. |
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