சக்தி செய்தியாளர் பரநிருபசிங்கம் தேவகுமார் (வயது-34) என்பவர் கூரிய ஆயதங்களால் வெட்டி படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார்.

கடந்த ஐந்து வருடங்களுக்குமதிகமாக சக்தியின் யாழப்பாணச் செய்தியாளராக கடமையாற்றிய இவர் கோயில் திருவிழாக்கள் உட்பட குடாநாட்டின் விளையாட்டு நிகழவுகள் மற்றும் பொது நிகழ்வுகளில் அக்கறையுடன் செயற்பட்டுவந்த போதிலும் அரசியல் ரீதியான அறிக்கையிடல்களை குடாநாட்டு சூழ்நிலை காரணமாக தவிர்த்து வந்தார் என்றும் தெரிவிக்கப்டுகின்றது.

இறுதியாக குடாநாட்டில் நிகழ்த்தப்பட்ட வெசாக் மற்றும் காணிவேல் பொழுது போக்கு நிகழ்ச்சிகளை அறிக்கையிட்டிருந்தார்.

சம்பவ தினமன்று தமது பணிகளை முடித்துவிட்டு அயல் வீட்டு நண்பருடன மோட்டார் சயிக்கிளில் வீடு திரும்பிக் கொண்டிருந்த போது யாழ் நகரின் மேற்குபகுதியான கல்லுண்டாய் வெளிப்பகுதியில் வழிமறித்த கொலையாளிகள் வெட்டிக் கொலை செய்தபின் அவரிடமிருந்த ஆவனங்களையும் எடுத்துச் சென்றுள்ளதாக தெரிவிக்கப்படுகின்றது.

கடந்த வருடமே திருமணமாகிய இவரின் மனைவி தற்போது கருவுற்றிருக்கின்றார் என்றும் உறவினர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

North Sri Lanka Journalists’ Association

We at North Sri Lanka Journalists’ Association express our deep shockand sadness at the cruel assassination of our dear friend and colleague Mr. P. Devakumar in Navanthurai on Wednesday.
We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. Mr. Devakumar became the latest victim of the present unfortunate trendof killings of journalists and media workers in Sri Lanka, particularlyin Jaffna.

The problem in Jaffna has become so acute to the extent that regionalnewspaper publishers may stop printing if this trend continues.

There are three regional newspapers being published in Jaffna and thisis the largest number of that kind to be published from one region inthe country. These publications are now seriously threatened with thesafety issues.

According to local and international media rights groups, Jaffna is themost dangerous place for journalists where 10 media employees including reporters, delivery men, proof readers and managers have been killed inthe past two years.

This situation has resulted in many media workers leaving their jobs and others not willing to join the industry out of fear, creating an acuteshortage of employees.

Newspapers in Jaffna are now compelled to rely on web sites and reports from Colombo for their news.

Therefore we urge all concerned to take steps to create a conducive working climate for us and ensure our safety.

Press release / 28th May 2008

Journalist hacked to death in Jaffna

28th May 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Free Media Movement (FMM) reports with deep sadness that yet another journalist was murdered today in Jaffna, in the embattled Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The FMM vehemently condemns this dastardly act and extend our condolences to his wife and family.

Sirasa, Shakthi and MTV Television Network Jaffna district correspondent P. Devakumar was hacked to death this evening in Navanthurei on his way home from Jaffna town. A friend of Devakumar was also killed by in the attack.  Devakumar, a resident of Vaddukoddai, Jaffna , was 36 years old and married for one year. He had worked for MTV for nearly three years.

We note that Devakumar is the 9th journalist/media worker killed in Jaffna since 2006 and that three more journalists/media workers have been abducted in Jaffna since the same year.

Jaffna, the main city in the embattled Northern Peninsula of Sri Lanka, has been under government military control for over a decade and is heavily policed and fortified. However, not a single disappearance, abduction or murder of a journalist / media worker has been investigated that has brought those responsible to book. We are fearful that investigations into Devakumar’s murder will also suffer a similar fate.

It is with sickeningly increasing frequency that we are compelled to ask the government to take concrete measures to halt the killing, assault and intimidation of journalists in Sri Lanka . Vociferous condemnations and promises of inquiries are meaningless without the political will to push forward investigations.

Devakumar’s death must be investigated urgently, meaningfully and impartially. The repugnant impunity that aids and abets violence against journalists and media personnel must come to an end.