An official from the US State Department is set to visit Sri Lanka to study the state of the media on the island since the new government has come in to power.

Colombo Gazette reports Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Eileen O’Connor will be meeting with government officials and media persons on the island during her trip.

The International Federation of Journalists said in its latest report on press freedom that journalists in the North-East of the island continue to face threats and harassment, whilst Tamil journalists have continued to face harassment by Sri Lankan security forces.

Last week, the Jaffna Press Club (JPC) also called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to ensure impartial inquiries are conducted into the murder and disappearance of Tamil journalists.

Earlier Sri Lanka’s finance minister warned journalists on the island from abusing the apparent environment of media freedom that he claimed was in place under the current government.

See our earlier posts:

Jaffna Press Club calls for inquiry into killings and disappearances of Tamil journalists (04 Jun 2015)

Sri Lankan minister warns against misusing media freedom (27 May 2015)

Journalists in North-East continue to face attacks - IFJ (09 May 2015)

RSF concerned Sri Lankan authorities resuming harassment of Tamil journalists (29 Apr 2015)

Tamil journalists summoned by Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigation Department (27 Apr 2015)

Journalist and two students detained by Sri Lankan police in Jaffna (23 Apr 2015)

Intimidation of Tamil journalists continues under new Sri Lankan govt says TNA MP (16 Apr 2015)

IFJ condemns intimidation of Tamil journalists by Sri Lankan police (13 Apr 2015)

Uthayan journalists do not feel free – Editor (10 Apr 2015)

Jaffna journalist detained after investigating assault by Sri Lankan police (08 Apr 2015)

Tamil journalists threatened by police in Jaffna (08 Apr 2015)

Surveillance of journalists in North must stop, says international media mission (01 Mar 2015)