Free Sri Lankan Journalist J.S. Tissainayagam
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Update: We've learned that Tissainayagam's pardon has come through. Thank you to everyone who signed.
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Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was arrested in Colombo and imprisoned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for two articles he wrote in a monthly magazine.
Tissainayagam's articles might be controversial, but no one should be denied the right to freedom of expression.
J.S. Tissainayagam was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and is now appealing this sentence. He was granted release on bail while his appeal is pending. The international community believes that Tissainayam is being persecuted for no other reason than his journalistic connections.
Sri Lanka was in the midst of a civil war during Tissainayagam's arrest. Journalists and other media were caught in the crossfire between the government and the opposition group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Tell the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to eradicate J.S. Tissainayagam's conviction and amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act so that it can't be misused to restrict freedom of expression.
Dear President Rajapaksa,
Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was arrested in Colombo and imprisoned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for two articles he wrote in a monthly magazine.
Tissainayagam's articles might be controversial, but no one should be denied the right to freedom of expression.
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J.S. Tissainayagam was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and is now appealing this sentence. He was granted release on bail while his appeal is pending. The international community believes that Tissainayam is being persecuted for no other reason than his journalistic connections.
I urge you to eradicate J.S. Tissainayagam's conviction and amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act so that it can't be misused to restrict freedom of expression.
