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FMM condemns assault on journalists

02 Apr 2022

By Skandha Gunasekara The alleged assault on a group of journalists covering the protest in Mirihana on Thursday (31 March) has received widespread condemnation from domestic and international civil society groups. Several journalists who covered the protest alleged that they were assaulted by Police officers and members of the STF and that some were later arrested by authorities. The Free Media Movement (FMM) yesterday (2) condemned the assault of journalists and the hindrance of their official duties. “This was a direct violation of the rights of journalists to report and carry out their duties. It is a threat to the freedom of press and the freedom of expression. The Police must act according to the law. They cannot curtail the rights of professional journalists and members of the media,” the statement read. The FMM has also charged that it was the constitutional right of the people of Sri Lanka to gather and protest and that they had written to the Inspector General of Police to ensure the rights of journalists and the citizens were protected by the actions of the Police. “The right to congregate and demonstrate is provided for by the Constitution of Sri Lanka. As such we, the Free Media Movement, have written to the IGP calling on him to ensure that journalists along with the general public have their constitutional rights maintained when Police officers are carrying out their duties.” Several journalists were arrested and assaulted by the Police including two from the Derana network, namely, Sanjeewa Lakshan and Nissanka Werapitiya. Other journalists and media personnel who were mistreated include Waruna Wanniarachchi and Nisal Baduge from the Daily Mirror, M.A. Pushpakumara from the Sunday Times, Awanka Kumara and Windana Prasad Karunaratne from the Sirasa network, and Sulochana Gamage from Lakeshouse, as well as three other broadcast journalists – Sanjeewa Gallage, Chathura Feshan, and Pradeep Wickremesinghe.    

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