30.6.2008

A group travelling in a white van attacked Mr. Namal Perera, the Curriculum Coordinator of Sri Lanka Press Institute while he was travelling in a vehicle with a friend of his.

Mr. Namal Perera, a leading figure in organizing protests against media suppression ever since 'The Nation' journalist Keith Noir was abducted and intimidated, was attacked this evening (30) in close proximity to the Ministry of Information and Media and Information Department. He was under constant threat from anonymous callers. The attackers came in a white van numbered 253-2908.
Mr. Mahendra Rathnaweera, Political and Media Officer of the UK High Commission, who was in the vehicle with Mr. Namal Perera, was also beaten by the goons. Both were admitted to Apollo Hospital.

The latest attack on media persons fall on the backdrop of the Minister of Information and Media appointing a special committee to look into the threats to media and journalists.

Courtesy - LeN