COLOMBO – The Free Media Movement (FMM) has strongly condemned the latest attack on two journalist investigating alleged illegal logging in the Murippu jungle, in the Mullaitivu district, and demanded immediate action be taken against those responsible for the assaults.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (13), the media watchdog said Kanapathipillai Kumana, regional correspondent for Virakesari newspaper and several other media institutions, and Hiru TV correspondent Shanmugam Thavaseelan, had been severely assaulted on Monday (12) evening when they went to investigate an alleged illegal logging operation in the Murippu jungle.
Both journalists are said to have sustained injuries, with Thavaseelan recording two broken teeth and Kumanan an injury to his nose. Both have been admitted to Ward 5 of the Mullaitivu Base Hospital for treatment.
The statement said the attackers included a timber smuggler and that the two journalists had lodged a complaint with the Mullaitivu Police Judicial Medical Unit.
It pointed out that while no action is being taken against those involved in the widespread destruction of forests and other illegal activities that destroy the environment, journalists who expose these acts are subjected to severe attacks, and highlighted the October 3 attack on journalist Indunil Wijenayake, who was reporting on illegal sand mining in the Kumbukkan Oya in Moneragala.
FMM called on the authorities to initiate legal action against those involved in the attacks, regardless of rank, enabling journalists to pursue their profession freely, without being subjected to threats and assaults.
-ENCL