Norway broadcaster shows Sri Lanka Civil War revelations

Published on Wednesday, 28th September, 2011 at 13:16 under the news category, by John Price.
Last Updated on 29th September 2011 at 07:10.

NRK has ignored calls from the Sri Lankan Embassy to cancel transmitting a contentious programme.


Last night’s compelling, and controversial documentary on NRK2 about Sri Lanka’s bloody war with society. It was originally broadcast on the UK’s Channel 4 Dispatches series back in June 2011.

The programme was heavily criticised by Sri Lankan authorities, who initially attempted to halt the Norwegian channel from showing it.

In an official statement before the show, with an expected six-figure audience, embassy staff wrote: “We urge NRK 2 not to air the UK Channel 4 program and give coverage to content which is unsubstantiated and without any guarantee of authenticity.”

“At a time when a great deal of efforts are underway for reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka, this type of sinister and unsubstantiated visual material could inflame the passions of those elements concerned only about carving out a mono-ethnic enclave against the wishes of Sri Lankan nationals treading on democratic pluralistic ideals.”

Whilst it is unknown if there were any complaints about last night’s broadcast, British television complaints commissioner Ofcom announced 37 people criticised the programme’s distressing content.

The Tamil Tigers hit the Norwegian headlines earlier this year, when police arrested a 34-year-old man in February on suspicion of murdering three people, including an officer.