US expresses concern over news site blockade

The United States yesterday expressed concerns over the continued blockade of internet news site in Sri Lanka and called on the authorities to stop such activities.

In a press release the United States Embassy in Colombo said it is deeply concerned that the Internet news site Lanka-e-News has been blocked in Sri Lanka.

“While the Embassy does not endorse the views of any particular media outlet, the United States believes that a free and independent media is vital to ensuring the health and continuation of any democracy,” the statement said.

“Freedom of expression, including unfettered access to Internet news websites, is a basic right which must be respected. We therefore call on the Sri Lankan authorities and the managements of Sri Lankan telecommunications firms to stop activities aimed at blocking free access in Sri Lanka to all legitimate media websites, including Lanka-e-News,” the statement said further.

The Lanka-e-News website critical of the government says it has been blocked to the viewers in Sri Lanka. However, the authorities have not officially admitted that the website has been blocked.  The Secretary of Ministry of Media and Information recently said that the government is seeking consultation from the Attorney General’s Department regarding the actions to be initiated against websites that propagate false news and views against the country and the President.