Sri Lanka’s late #MeToo movement begins with its newsrooms Sexual assault news

The government has ordered an investigation into sexual harassment in the media following a series of allegations by women’s press staff.

The Sri Lankan government has ordered an investigation into sexual harassment in the media by women’s press staff after some #MeToo allegations.

After a flood of claims tweeted by journalist Sarah Kellapatha last week, a male colleague said she threatened to rape him while working for an unnamed newspaper between 2010-17.

“It was almost impossible for any woman to wear a work dress without having to endure the distractions that male co-workers generally did about their legs and body, or throwing a loud“ sexy ”every time they felt comfortable,” Kellapatha said.

He said he was “blocked” [the rape threat] for YEARS, as a coping mechanism, until one day I remembered and shed tears ”.

I’ve had male colleagues in my personal space in the newsroom, dining room, hallways, office transportation, and even the elevator to make me feel uncomfortable enough with my body as well as my clothes, regretting wearing tight jeans. or a low-cut t-shirt.

– Sarah Kellapatha (@saararrr) June 18, 2021

Other women journalists have taken to Twitter in a campaign reminiscent of the #MeToo movement that began in the United States in 2017 when sex crime crimes arose in Harvey Weinstein.

Journalist Sahla Ilham said he sexually abused a “famous editor” in a now-defunct paper that put pressure on his family to remain silent.

“I’ve been silent for a long time, I also need to add what happened to me now,” Ilham said.

I’ve been silent for too long, now I have to add what happened to me too. After working for a now-defunct newspaper, a famous editor of a now-defunct newspaper sexually abused me. To keep quiet my family was in control. –

– sahla ilham (@sahlailham) June 21, 2021

U.S. journalist Jordana Narin, who was a fellow in a Sri Lankan newspaper, said a senior colleague had been subjected to a sexual harassment campaign before the editor-in-chief was forced to resign.

“[He] He was the best journalist Sri Lanka has ever seen. I couldn’t wait to learn from him … Instead, I spent the next two months in his favor, then I yelled at him, he was embarrassed and I felt him again and again, ”Narin said.

Another, Kavindya Thennakoon, greeted the women for talking about “predatory men”, describing that a senior colleague had tried to kiss her against her will.

I’m not sure about the movements that turn up and down, but here’s a little thread that’s picking up #Me too in #lka. The perps aren’t named, and I don’t want to do that and be abused, but I’ll give the locals enough clues to find out what, or who, is needed.

– Aisha (@aishnazim) June 18, 2021

Dharisha Bastians, former editor of the Sunday Observer, said the allegations were “worrying, disturbing and too well-known.”

“Solidarity with women journalists for the courage to talk about how much time they spend in #SriLanka newsrooms,” she said.

“To be accountable, critical reflection and change to make the editorial time of the past safer. #MeToo, ”he said on Twitter.

Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella and the media minister said she had asked the Government Information Department to investigate and allow women journalists to work in a safe environment.

“We will take the most rigorous action possible,” Rambukwell told Colombo reporters. “We will not hesitate to take action.”

He said he has already instructed the Director General of the Department of Information to launch an investigation into the allegations made on social media.