IFJ calls for probe into assault: Report

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on Sri Lankagovernment to take immediate action against the police officers accused of assaulting a group of journalists covering a student protest.

Five journalists covering the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) demonstration were attacked after they reported police used undue force to break up the protest on 14 October in Colombo.

The journalists were assaulted despite having identified themselves as journalists to police, the IFJ said in a statement.

“The IFJ demands that Sri Lanka’s authorities investigate this gross misuse of violence against journalists who had clearly identified themselves as reporters and not protestors,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

Bingun Menaka Gamage of Lankadeepa; Sandaruwan Yatikinda of Neth FM; Pradeep Dilrukshan from the Daily Mirror; Chamila Karunaratna from Rivira and Subramaniyam Gunaratnam of Sirasa TV have sustained injuries in the assault.

“It is equally concerning that these students – who by all accounts were exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest – have also been targeted in such a way,” Mr White added.

The Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association and Free Media Movement have planned a protest against the attacks in Colombo on Tuesday. – (BBC)