Sri Lanka State Own Television - Rupavahini under Military Control ?

Sri Lanka state-owned television station - Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corperation (SLRC) is now running under the controller of military following the management declared a "holiday" overnight to avert a strike, union workers said.

The premises was barricaded and only a few selected staffers were allowed in, television workers said

According to sources, the Main Control Room of channel now controlled by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) personnels. Also a large number of military personnel including the anti-riot squad have been deployed at the SLRC premises.

Several Rupavahini workers including a female, have been attacked continuously following an incident where junior labor minister Mervyn Silva was held hostage by staff of the station after he stormed the newsroom and assaulted its news chief.

President Mahinda Rajapakse is to meet television worker unions later in the day.

All live programs of the channel were halted since Friday (14). The station now airing only pre-recorded programs.

International media rights bodies have said Sri Lanka is one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists after Iraq.

Source: nidahasa.com