SRI LANKA

[Update on Rapid Action 3/4/09]

International PEN welcomes the release of newspaper editor Nadesapillai Vithyatharan on April 24, 2009. The editor had been held under emergency legislation, apparently for his reporting and activism, since February 26, 2009.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
According to PEN’s information, Nadesapillai Vithyatharan, editor-in-chief of the Tamil-language dailies Sudar Oli and Uthayan, was released from prison as ordered by a Court in Colombo on April 24, 2009. The Colombo Criminal Division (CCD) and other departments leading the investigation against Vithyatharan dropped the case for lack of evidence, after he spent two months behind bars for alleged terrorist activities.

NO FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED


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