(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 12 November 2002 FMM press release: The Free Media Movement (FMM) requests that the government hold an immediate inquiry and bring to book those responsible for assaulting and illegally arresting journalist Uvindu Kurukulasooriya on 8 October 2002. On that day, Uvindu Kurukulasooriya, of Ravaya newspaper, was on his way […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 12 November 2002 FMM press release:
The Free Media Movement (FMM) requests that the government hold an immediate inquiry and bring to book those responsible for assaulting and illegally arresting journalist Uvindu Kurukulasooriya on 8 October 2002.
On that day, Uvindu Kurukulasooriya, of Ravaya newspaper, was on his way home when he noticed that police were brutally assaulting a woman and man near the Maharagama clock tower. Mr. Uvindu Kurukulasooriya got out of his vehicle and noted down the numbers of the police constables who were assaulting the man and woman.
When police asked why he was noting down the numbers and who he was, Mr. Uvindu Kurukulasooriya showed his media accreditation card. The police officers then assaulted and insulted him, using filthy language. Mr. Uvindu then went to the Maharagama police station to make a complaint. Perversely, he was also subject to verbal abuse within the police premises and was remanded on the charge of assaulting the police officers and disrupting their work. He appeared in court the next morning and was released on personal bail.
FMM is deeply concerned with the way in which journalist Kurukulasooriya was treated and presented in court on fabricated charges after he went to the police station to make a complaint on the conduct of the police themselves. The FMM urgently requests that the government take immediate steps to hold an impartial inquiry on this matter and urges the police to respect the inviolable right of journalists to investigate and report on the misconduct of police.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Convenor, FMM
Victor Ivan
Secretary, FMM
