The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka condemns the attempt by Kayts police to threaten World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) reporter Dinesh Heymaal with arrest following his coverage of a fishermen’s protest and subsequent media event at Kurikattuwan Jetty, 31 kilometres from Jaffna, on July 29. The police withdrew their threat to arrest Heymaal only after the WSWS editorial board in Colombo was informed of their actions. In response to another question from the WSWS reporter, Ponnambalam defended the Sri Lankan government’s implementation of harsh austerity measures demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), falsely claiming that they had benefited the people. He made clear that he was a WSWS reporter and had the right to carry out his journalistic duties without interference. WSWS reporter Dinesh Heymaal challenges attempt to silence himWhen the police officers subsequently threatened Heymaal with arrest, one referred to his remarks during the press briefing.