(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 26 October 2004 FMM press release: Assault on Lake House correspondent Free Media Movement condemns the political thuggery unleashed on Sanjaya Asela, a correspondent for the Lake House newspaper group’s Maturata division in Kandy, while covering the protest campaign organized by the main opposition United National Party (UNP) in […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 26 October 2004 FMM press release:
Assault on Lake House correspondent
Free Media Movement condemns the political thuggery unleashed on Sanjaya Asela, a correspondent for the Lake House newspaper group’s Maturata division in Kandy, while covering the protest campaign organized by the main opposition United National Party (UNP) in Kandy on 26 October 2004. Mr. Sanjaya Asela was admitted to Kandy general hospital as a consequence of the assault.
According to the complaint filed by Sanjaya with the police, his assailant was a UNP member of the Udunuwara Pradeshiya Sabha. The FMM holds the view that regardless of the political party that arranges these protests, no one has the right to deprive a journalist from reporting such events.
Such acts are being committed by politicians themselves and should receive the condemnation of all.
FMM calls upon the police to speed up investigations into the incident and bring the suspect before the law. The organization also urges the United National Party to stop such acts of thuggery by its leaders.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Spokesperson
Free Media Movement
