No action sets bad example, claim journalists

When the government turns a blind eye to attacks and undemocratic actions by some, it sets a poor example to democracy, claims the media group Journalists Against Suppression (JAS).

Issuing a media release in response to an assault on a journalist, Chandana Jayasena from the “Lanka’ newspaper, JAS convenor Chandana Sirimalwatte states that the journalist was assaulted yesterday (May 29) while on a campaign to promote an arts festival sponsored by ‘Lanka’ in Moneragala.

The release also claims that a Sri Lanka Transport Board employee, R.M. Kumarasiri, who had informed others of the attack on Mr. Jayasena had also been assaulted.

The person who carried out the assault had been among those traveling in Moneragala Pradeshiya Sabha chairman R.M. Ratnaweera’s cab and he had stated in the presence of police officers that any untoward incidents would not have occurred if permission had been sought from him, claims the media release from the JAS.

The Inspector General of Police and the Media Minister should probe this matter on an impartial manner and set a better example by doing so, urge the journalists’ group.