The United States on Tuesday welcomed Sri Lanka's decision to pardon a journalist convicted under the powerful wartime emergency law that has been relaxed to boost investment, Reuters reoprted. Tamil journalist J.S. Tissanayagam, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail on charges of conspiracy and violating emergency regulations, was granted a presidential pardon on Monday. "It is fitting that the announcement came on World Press Freedom Day, which celebrates the vital role a free media plays in every democracy," a statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Colombo said. -- SPA
