Why weren’t Rajpal’s attackers quizzed? – UPFA Parliamentarian

UPFA’s Kurunegala district MP Tharanath Basnayake bringing an adjournment motion in Parliament on Friday queried as to why the attackers of Lakbima News Chief Editor Rajpal Abeynayake were not taken in for questioning.

“Attorney-at-Law and Editor of Lakbima News, Rajpal Abeynayake, had come under a goon attack threatening his media activities at a meeting of lawyers on December 3 at a hotel in Colombo.

The law had not been enforced and no arrests have been made so far in regard to this incident despite a complaint being made”, the MP told Parliament.

The motion was seconded by UPFA Colombo District MP Thilanga Sumathipala. “We condemn this attack on Editor Rajpal Abeynayake.

Therefore, it is necessary to take action with immediate effect to bring the culprits to book,” he said.

Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that despite political opinion or other policies which had been upheld by journalists, they should have freedom to work independently.

He said that the Government was bound to safeguard the rights of journalists.

He recalled the dark era of the UNP regime and added that a number of journalists had been attacked and murdered during the 1977-1994 as there was no freedom of expression during that period. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Attorney-at-Law Asoka Samararatne, the suspect in the alleged attack on Lakbima News Editor, appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate and Additional District Judge Lanka Jayaratne.

The judge, while granting bail, directed the suspect to make a statement to the Kollupitiya police, which is conducting investigations.On an application by President’s Counsel CR de Silva who appeared with several other Attorneys-at-Law for Attorney Asoka Samararatne, the judge granted surety bail in Rs. 25,000.

The Judge said that this matter should be sent to the Conciliation Board for an inquiry.