In a letter written to President Rajapakse, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the president and members of the government to respect the vital role journalists play in an open democratic society.

"Verbal, written, and physical assaults on journalists are attacks on the very fabric of a democratic society. We call on you to make sure that members of your government refrain from such acts of intimidation", the letter said.

The New-York-based Committee to Protect Journalists further said they fear that when the ceasefire officially ends next week, the Sri Lankan government will seek to intimidate Sri Lankan journalists who might report critically on activities of the government or the military.