The house of Sri Lankan journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama was attacked by unidentified armed men on 14 February. Samarawickrama has recently tackled corruption in the government on his talk show.
14 February 2022
The Free Media Movement condemns the attack on the residence of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama.
The Free Media Movement points out that the journalist had received death threats on a previous occasion as well, and emphasizes that it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure the safety of journalists.
Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama has stated that he heard the sound of several gunshots. The assailants threatened the security guard pointing a pistol to his head, at the residential complex where Chamuditha’s house is located. It is reported that four armed assailants who arrived in a white van carried out the attack. The incident occurred in a densely populated area and the Free Media Movement believes that it is normal for surveillance cameras to be installed in such areas and therefore, the Sri Lankan police can expedite the investigation and arrest the perpetrators and enforce the law.
Meanwhile, the media community, including the FMM, while commemorating Black January called on the state to provide justice for journalists who have been murdered or otherwise victimised over the decades. The Free Media Movement sadly notes that there has been impunity for those responsible for almost all the incidents, while many are being acquitted due to legal weaknesses and political influence – in all probability Chamuditha’s case would end up being just another statistic on the list.
Such a deplorable attack by armed thugs less than a week after the commemoration of Black January seeking justice for journalists who have been murdered and victims of various forms of injustice, including attacks, only goes to show that the ‘dark shadows of invisible power against the media’ still prevail. Instead of adding this incident to a long list of unresolved cases due to the weaknesses of the law enforcement agencies, the Free Media Movement calls on all responsible stakeholders to take swift action and to put an end to ‘impunity saddled with political power’ and to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and reveal the identity of the perpetrators to the public.
Lasantha de Silva
Convenor
Hannah Ibrahim
Secretary
