Four people have been arrested in connection with the assaulting of a Journalist of a private television channel yesterday (17). Following the media reports highlighted the incident in two occasions the Government instructed the Police, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to look in to the matter.

"As the Journalist was not admitted to the hospital for treatment, the court has granted bail for the suspects,' said Minister of Media Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.

This was revealed to media at the Government weekly press briefing held in Colombo today (18).

Rejecting the accusations leveled by the opposition party challenging the abilities of the Military Spokesman for the particular post, Minister Abeywardena in detailed explained both local and overseas qualifications that the Brigadier has obtained and said that he has actively participated in both Signals Brigade and engaged in major operations against the terrorists.

Minister said that the statement made by the opposition stating that the Military Spokesman has engaged in a political mission, is unacceptable and baseless.

"What the Brigadier said was nobody should underestimate the victory of the valiant soldiers in the East. That statement has nothing to do with politics," he added.

Minister also questioned the oppositions stand on the liberation of East. "Initially they started a campaign misguiding the public saying that Thoppigala was a Jungle. When no one accepted their allegations, later they stated that this is not a victory of the Government, but a victory of the military forces. These are contradictory statement made by the opposition at two occasions," he said.

"Some how they have accepted that Thoppigala has been liberated," Minister added.

Speaking about the Government's decision to celebrate the Victory Thoppigala on July 19, Minister Abeywardena said that this day would signify Country's tribute to our brave soldiers.