(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 2002 FMM press release: FMM unequivocally condemns the severe assault on journalists that took place on 3 December 2002, during the Wallavaya Titarama Palatha Corporative Election. Journalists who went to report on the election were set on by thugs of the Wallavaya Predesheeya Shaba chairman. SLRC and […]
(FMM/IFEX) – The following is a 4 December 2002 FMM press release:
FMM unequivocally condemns the severe assault on journalists that took place on 3 December 2002, during the Wallavaya Titarama Palatha Corporative Election. Journalists who went to report on the election were set on by thugs of the Wallavaya Predesheeya Shaba chairman.
SLRC and Dinamina provincial correspondent Wijitha Ranaweera, Lakbima correspondent Roshan Garusingha and ITN provincial correspondent Jagath Kalansooriya were the journalists assaulted by thugs during the incident. Two of them, Wijitha Ranaweera and Jagath Kalansooriya, were admitted to hospital because of the injuries inflicted on them.
The Wallavaya Predesheeya Shaba chairman, who is a member of the governing United National Front (UNF), knowing the cooperative election results were not in favour of the UNF, had unleashed his thugs to disrupt the election process. The attackers assaulted the journalists who were covering the incident as well. It is reported that police officials who were present at the scene did not take any steps to stop the attackers.
It was barely two months ago that a similar assault on journalists took place at Higurakgoda by thugs belonging to another politician of the governing party. The police did not take any steps to stop that assault either. The Prime Minister had to intervene himself to make the necessary arrests.
The incident during the Wallavaya Titarama Palatha Corporative Election highlights a very disturbing trend, that if unchecked, could seriously impair the credibility of the incumbent government towards good governance and the protection of human rights, and its promises to root out political victimization and attacks on media personnel.
FMM demands that the government take the necessary steps to address this disturbing trend and bring to book the persons responsible for these assaults. FMM also urges the democratic community, including all media personnel, to rise against this trend of political violence.
Sunanda Deshapriya
Convenor, FMM
Sunil Jayasekara
Assistant Secretary, FMM
