Journalist Jayaprakash Tissainayagam was been in jail since March 2008. (Sanjaya Nallaperuma/Perambara)
Tissa has been out on bail for days but still in jail. I guess they wanted him to sign the guest book. He has, and he just walked out today. Must feel great. Tissa was basically made an example of, jailed under the Prevention Of Terrorism Act for ‘riling up communal tensions’. I read the relevant portions and they were quite tame compared to all the stuff out there. The fact that they could put him away really put the fear of god into anyone writing, for how arbitrary it was.
The fact that this supposed terrorist is now just getting out also shows that the system is still arbitrary. Sometimes it chews you up, sometimes it spits it out. I think the judicial system needs some serious fixing, and I think it needs to start with a new President that follows the Constitution. But for now, arbitrary is OK. It’s a great day for Tissa and his family.
You dont spare a chance to promote SF do you?
:)
Of course not, you should have seen him when he was supporting Ranil! :)
But if Tissa did get money from the LTTE, I think he should be in jail.
if the system is rotten it would be nice to change the system. Hence.
I’m not as concerned about who Indi supports – that’s his prerogative – as much as I am about the fact that the Sri Lankan judicial system is arbitrary. We should all be concerned that the Judiciary is unable to act impartially and is instead a mere extension of the current government, choosing to prosecute anyone with a differing opinion when far more greater crimes are taking place – That 400 million US$ from Tsunami aid is un accounted for, that those responsible are probably those in power for example and that they will remain above the law should!
Hear Hear…!!
Even after Lasantha was brutally killed, the staff of the Sunday Leader have preserved their courageous stand of anti-establishment. I’d love to see Tissa stick it up the government pretty soon. THAT WILL send a message. It could signal the start of a vibrant & free press – the first step towards a self-sustaining democracy.
And, you guys should reform your justice system. It STTTTTTTTTTTTTINKS.
This will make Obama happy!
You mean he should go back to writing about the strategic importance of massacring Sinhalese border villagers (encroachers in his words), accepting money from banned terrorist groups, and calling for a racial holy war.
Ah yes, your bloody naivete STTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTINKS, dumbo!
Here’s to you Bardo.
Well said.
He did write that article and he did endorese murdering innocent people.
How sadly dissapointed you are going to be either way.