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Sri Lanka has imposed censorship on security-related mobile phone messages despite the withdrawal last year of tough emergency laws following the end of its separatist war with Tamil rebels. The defence ministrys Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) in a directive to media organisations said they must get prior approval to publish SMS news alerts related to national security and security forces. The censorship, which was announced in a directive dated Friday but seen by AFP yesterday, appeared to be limited to SMS news alerts issued via mobile phones. The directive came after reports of the killing on Friday of three soldiers in the islands north raised fears that the Tamil Tiger rebels, crushed in May 2009, were re-gathering to resume attacks. However, tensions eased after the army announced that the killings were carried out by a soldier who later turned the gun on himself and no rebel activity was suspected. Any news related to national security and security forces (and) the police should get prior approval from the MCNS before dissemination, MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalle said in his directive. The government imposed censorship during the height of fighting between troops and Tamil Tiger rebels using emergency laws that were relaxed last August following intense international pressure. It was not immediately clear what legal provisions were being used to censor SMS alerts. The censorship directive came into immediate effect and applied to over a dozen news services. Sri Lankas five-player mobile industry has over 18mn subscribers. Almost all major media outlets have their own SMS alerts to complement their mainstream radio, television and newspapers. The directive came at a time when Sri Lanka is facing censure at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva over its handling of the war against Tamil Tigers as well as its treatment of the independent media. Some 17 journalists and media employees have been killed in Sri Lanka in the past decade, pro-opposition websites have been blocked and media organisations opposing government views have been attacked, according to rights groups. AFP

Navy denies attack The Sri Lanka Navy has denied attacking Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, saying it was worried over such malicious allegations. The navy said in a statement that a thorough inquiry found that no such attack took place March 9. Reports alleging an attack in the Indian media were based on inaccurate, hearsay reports without any evidence or credible proof, it said. There is a deep concern that such malicious allegations against the Sri Lanka Navy are disguised attempts to harm the friendship, co-operation and the excellent understanding between India and Sri Lanka. There is excellent co-operation between the navies of Sri Lanka and India, it added. It said the Sri Lanka Navy had come to the rescue of Indian fishermen in distress on humanitarian grounds on many occasions.

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Lanka slaps censorship on mobile phones