The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has deep concerns for the safety of two journalists in Sri Lanka in the wake of the murder of a leading Tamil journalist.

"The developing sense of fear and insecurity amongst the journalistic community will have grave implications on a free and independent media in Sri Lanka," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.

On 11 May 2005, Victor Ivan, convener of the Free Media Movement (FMM) and chief editor of the Ravaya newspaper, and Sunanda Deshapriya, freelance journalist and former editor for Yukthiya newspaper and FMM spokesperson, advised they received death threats from an extreme group calling itself Theraputtabhaya.

Ivan and Deshapriya received the threats in a letter signed by the group's commander Mayadunne.Deshapriya has been actively involved in IFJ work in Sri Lanka for several years.The same letter was also received by leading figures of civil society groups advocating for a peaceful solution to the twenty-year conflict in Sri Lanka.

The letter claimed responsibility for the murder of Sivaram Dharmeratnam, a leading Tamil journalist who was abducted and found dead on 28 April 2005, and said that all "traitors should become fertiliser of the motherland if they continue to betray it".

"The few independent, critical voices in Sri Lanka are in danger of being silenced if the Sri Lankan authorities do not step in and ensure the safety of all journalists in Sri Lanka," said Warren.

The IFJ is calling on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that all measures and precautions are taken to ensure the safety and security of journalists in Sri Lanka.

"Clearly the situation is extremely dire and cannot be allowed to continue," said Warren.

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