16 February, 2007 - Published 13:39 GMT

Journalist 'missing' in Jaffna

Media watchdogs in Sri Lanka have expressed concern that the life of a 'missing' journalist is in danger.

The Free Media Movement (FMM) says freelance journalist Subramanium Ramachandran, 37, is reported missing in Jaffna since 15 February.

In a statment issued on Friday, the FMM urged the 'abductors' to immediately release him or hand him over to the police.

Threatened by LTTE

Ramachandran has been working as the Vadamarachchi reporter for Yal Thinakkural and Valampuri Tamil dailies since 2001.

Journalists in Jaffna told BBC sandeshaya that Ramachandran was threatened by the Tamil Tigers not to work for certain newspapers.

He was last seen in his tutition class in Vadamarachchi at about 1830 SLT on Thursday, according to the FMM.

Curfew is imposed in Vadamarachchi from 6.00pm to 6.00am (SLT).

FMM was informed by Nelliadi police that his father lodged a complaint on his dissapearance.

Minister admits violations

Quoting figures from human rights organisation, the FMM says 802 people are missing in the peninsular since January 2005.

Sri Lanka's minister in charge of human rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, admitted that he was informed of dissapearances in Jaffna by the Natioanal Human Rights Commission (HRC).

Speaking with BBC Sandeshaya after a fact finding mission in Jaffna, he said the government cannot deny the responsibility for human righrs abuses.

"If these happens while curfew in place, the government cannot deny our responsibility," he told bbcsinhala.com.