Press Statement

FMETU urges all Sri Lankans to unite against the barbaric forces of terrorism

26 Apr, 2019

The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions, FMETU, joins the civilized world to condemn the barbaric bomb attacks carried out on Easter Sunday, that killed more than 300 unarmed innocent civilians and injured more than 500 others, putting the country’s social, political, religious and economic institutions in jeopardy. It is evident that the objective of the attackers was to breakdown the country’s economy and to damage the harmony among religious and ethnic communities in Sri Lanka.

According to media reports, the top level of the government had not taken cognizance of an intelligence report by senior security official warning of the attack. We appeal to the government to act with responsibility and give prime importance to safety and security in Sri Lanka. Media has already noted that Sri Lanka is a hub of global drug trafficking networks. The government’s ongoing war against narcotics too has threatened the functioning of that network.

The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions too has reservations on the conduct and behavior of social media portals. However, it is our firm belief that the total blackout of social media would not help in finding solutions for the destructive tendencies and crises prevailing in the country. It is our understanding that there is a trend of perverted social media behavior prevailing with regard to the messages they disseminate via social media platforms. There is no possibility for their operatives to exonerate themselves of the present plight. We appeal to all to use social media platforms with responsibility.

We also appeal to all political parties and groups not to exploit for vested interests, the inhumane incidents that took place on Easter Sunday. It is the responsibility of all leaders and groups in Sri Lanka, to unite in standing against terrorism.

We, the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions, a member of International Federation of Journalists covering 154 countries with over 600,000 members, vehemently condemn the terrorist attack of Easter Sunday and their acts of terror which have brought immense suffering to so many of our fellow citizens and also to citizens of foreign countries.