Rupavahini, ITN staffers injured:

Media groups, HR orgs. condemn attack:

TV crew assaulted at UNP convention

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE and L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

An unidentified group of men set upon ITN journalists who went to cover the United National Front meeting at Welisara.

Five journalists including cameramen from the Independent Television Network (ITN) covering the special political convention of the United National Front at the Nawaloka Grounds, Welisara were set upon by a group of UNF political supporters and attacked, Police sources told the `Sunday Observer.’ UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and common candidate Sarath Fonseka were present at the rally.

Meanwhile the five journalists who suffered bodily injuries as a result of the attack had lodged a complaint at the Peliyagoda police station.

The cameras of the journalists too have been damaged following the incident.

The Headquarters Inspector (HQI) of the Peliyagoda Police Station, Chief Inspector Dharmadasa Pathirana said the statements of the five journalists from the ITN have been recorded.

The journalists in their complaint to police had stated that they could possibly identify their assailants if they see them again but had no knowledge who they were.

The HQI further said there were no serious visible injuries on them except for abrasions. Their two cameras have also been damaged. Following the assault the journalists had not lodged a complaint at the Welisara Police station where the incident took place but they instead arrived at the Peliyagoda police station, for reasons better to them. He said the investigation have been referred to the Kandana police station.

Senior DIG Western Province Nimal Mediweka when contacted said they would conduct an impartial investigation into the incident and take appropriate action against the suspects.

Meanwhile the attack on the ITN and Rupavahini media team covering the UNP special convention at Welisara for the presidential poll was strongly condemned by media and human rights organizations.

According to ITN sources two TV cameras were destroyed and two ITN TV reporters were severely attacked who were later hospitalised.

Free Media Movement Secretary Sunil Jayasekera said that they totally oppose and condemn this incident “We will issue a statement immediately opposing this type of attacks to journalists or media personnel who are on duty. We do not treat this a minor incident, he said.

President, Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum, N. M. Ameen said that they totally condemned attacks on media personnel.

Coordinator Inter-Religious Peace Formation Ven. Madampagama Assaji Nayaka Thera said this type of incidents should not be repeated from any side of the political field. Whoever was responsible for these attacks should be punished, he said.