“Reports that several English and Sinhalese-language independent Web sites have been blocked are alarming,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator. “The Independent Election Commission and the Sri Lankan government must act immediately to make sure there are no restrictions on the media — broadcast, print, or digital — as presidential vote counting goes ahead.”
The blocking of opposition websites does not surprise me with the following reported in the media:
1. During the polls, the incumbent president was shown on state-run televisions oofering prayers in the temples depicting him as a pure soul devoid of violence, cronysm, corruption and nepotism.
2. Three and a half hour of bomb blasts in the north to intimidate Tamil voters and cut down on turnout (18%)
3. Paramilitary associated with the ruling party were seen distributing 'boycott election' pamphlets to voters.
4. Paramilitary associated with the ruling party was seen intimidating voters in the eastern province.