Two journalists attacked

Lasantha Wickrematunga, editor of the “Sunday Leader”, and his wife Raine, features editor at the same newspaper, were attacked near their home in a Colombo suburb by four masked men on 6 February. The assailants stopped the journalists’ car, pulled them out and beat them with clubs. Mr. Wickrematunga was hospitalised with cuts and bruises, […]

Lasantha Wickrematunga, editor of the “Sunday Leader”, and his
wife Raine, features editor at the same newspaper, were attacked
near their home in a Colombo suburb by four masked men on 6
February. The assailants stopped the journalists’ car, pulled
them out and beat them with clubs. Mr. Wickrematunga was
hospitalised with cuts and bruises, his wife received minor
injuries, and their car was smashed. Police are investigating the
incident, but no arrests have been made.

The “Sunday Leader” had recently published articles critical of
the new People’s Alliance (PA) government and is seen to favour
the opposition United National Party (UNP). The PA came to power
in August 1994, pledging media freedom after a period in which
journalists were under constant threat of attack for criticizing
the previous UNP government. RSF is concerned that this incident
could mark the beginning of a new period of violence against
journalists who criticize the government.

Recommended Action

Chandrika Kumaratunga

President of the Democratic and Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Office of the President

Republic Square

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Colombo 1

Fax: +941 44 6657/54 6657