Jan 21, Colombo: Nine journalists were killed and another 27 were assaulted in Sri Lanka since January 2006, the government said today.

Responding to a question by the opposition parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayaka in the House this morning the chief government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in the same period five journalists have been kidnapped by unidentified groups in the country.

But four out of them have been found later, the Minister added.

According to the chief government whip, the Labour Minister Mervyn Silva’s name was also in the records of Cinnamon Grand Police with regard to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation attack on December 27, 2007.

M.G. Nuwan Gunathilaka alias "Kudu Nuwan", a main supporter of Minister Mervyn Silva has been released on bail by the courts on the issue, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed the House.

International and local media watchdogs say Sri Lanka has become a dangerous place for journalists and threats to the media and media freedom have increased dramatically.