PPF concerned over assault on journalist in Colombo, Srilanka

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Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka has expressed concern over the assault on a journalist in Colombo.

PPF Secretary General Owais Aslam Ali in his letter has called on the Srilankan authorities to immediately investigate the incident and hold those responsible for attacking a journalist. PPF also urged the government to provide safe and secure environment for journalists working in the line of duty.

According to the Free Media Movement (FMM), Indika Handuwala, a journalist and photographer of newly launched daily newspaper was assaulted by a security officer of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Ravindra Wijegunaratne on November 28.

The journalist was covering the presence of Wijegunaratne at Fort Magistrate Court in Colombo, regarding the case on the abduction of 11 youngsters.

During his tenure of Office in December 2016, the current Chief of the Defense who is also a commanding officer in the Sri Lankan Navy, was accused of attacking and threatening a journalist who had gone to cover a Citizens protest at the Hambantota Port. The trial was later settled over a judiciary decision after the convict apologized for his act.