Journalists and right activists gathered in front of the Fort Railway Station in Colombo on Thursday to condemn the attack of the provincial correspondent by the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne assaulted Roshan Gunasekera, a local correspondent for The Island and Divaina dailies, while the journalist was reporting navy action to open the port blocked by protesting port workers. Video footage recorded by other journalists showed the navy commander darting towards Gunasekera, assaulting him and using foul language.
“The assault of a journalist by the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy is a condemnable act. The IFJ is seriously concerned by the assault of a journalist by the head of a security force and demands immediate action against him from the Sri Lankan government. Such an incident, if allowed to pass, not only undermines press freedom and the rights of the media but also has a chilling effect on free press.” the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said in a statement.
Courtesy: Colombo Telegraph
