NPC Praises Pardon of Sri Lankan Journalist

The National Press Club praised the pardoning of Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who had been convicted under the country's anti-terrorism laws for articles he had written.

"We are grateful that J.S. Tissainayagam has been pardoned,' NPC President Alan Bjerga said. "No journalists should be imprisoned for doing their jobs. I hope this pardon is an example for countries around the world that continue to hold reporters in violation of basic journalistic freedoms."

Press-freedom advocates have said Tissainayagam's conviction last year and sentence to 20 years of hard labor was unjustified and in response to articles he wrote that were critical of army conduct during a civil war.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced last month that Tissainayagam would be granted a full pardon. The pardon was issued last week.

-- John Hughes, [email protected]