Journalists are increasingly being targeted with violent attacks or death threats in Sri Lanka. Since 2005, inaction on the part of the authorities has lead to wide-spread violence and impunity

Since the presidential election in November 2005, Sri Lanka has witnessed a growing state of violence and impunity. Armed groups are targeting and killing human right activists. Journalists have been the focus of investigations by security personnel; have received anonymous death threats for their coverage; and have been pressured by different armed groups to publish stories that promoted a particular version of events.

At the same time, inaction on the side of the government of Sri Lanka towards these violations has allowed for a culture of impunity for acts of violence against media in Sri Lanka.

In response to the current situation, IMS is playing a key role in international alerts and advocacy missions to Sri Lanka. In June 2007, IMS coordinated an international advocacy and safety mission to the country, following up on an earlier visit in October 2006. This mission included International Federation of Journalists, International Press Institute, Reporters without Borders, and the South Asia Media Commission.

Through international advocacy and safety activities, IMS has sought to pro-actively address the press freedom and safety situation in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the international missions have sought to focus attention on the press freedom situation in the country, as well as to support the national media community.