The letter was sent the ambassadors of the United States, Norway, and Japan to Sri Lanka, as well as to the Head of the European Commission Delegation to Sri Lanka, and the prime minister.

It explicitly asks for the renewed delivery of supplies to Jaffna, in order for the city’s publications to renew their “vital activity of informing the public.”

Uthayan, Jaffna’s most-sold newspaper, used to print 12 pages with a circulation of 200,000 copies. Since the shortage, it has been reduced to printing 7,500 copies and will soon have to reportedly downgrade to two pages. Uthayan could even shut down within the next month if it doesn’t receive newsprint and ink supplies.

There are neither radio nor TV stations in Jaffna, and newspapers are the only way for people there to get information.

The Tamil Tigers and government in Sri Lanka have been fighting for nearly two decades, and the conflict blew up in April 2006. Since then, the media have often been targeted and subjected to physical threats and violence.

Members of the International Mission include: ARTICLE 19, FreeVoice, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Support (IMS), International Press Institute (IPI), International News Safety Institute (INSI), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), South Asia Press Commission (SAPC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC), World Association of Newspapers (WAN), World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC).

Source: World Association of Newspapers