Siyatha station attack:
Full scale inquiry ordered
Chaminda PERERA
The Government yesterday ordered IGP Mahinda Balasuriya to conduct a
full-scale investigation into the predawn attack on the Siyatha TV and
Radio station in Colombo 2.
Three special police teams were deployed to investigate the attack
which resulted in extensive damages to four news rooms of the media
station, under the directive of IGP Mahinda Balasuriya. These police
teams are following several leads to bring the culprits to book.
The culprits have reportedly hurled petrol bombs into the news rooms
and several other places in the media house after the staff on duty at
the news room were threatened at gun point.
Colombo Municipal Council fire engines were rushed to the scene to
douse the blaze which could have spread to adjoining buildings.
Officials from the Government Analyst Department, and Fingerprints
Departments were also at the scene of the attack.
An officer of the Siyatha media station yesterday told the Daily News
that twelve masked men had inquired where the news room was from the
security officers who were opposite the media station at around 1.30
a.m. yesterday.
He added that two of their staffers had been badly assaulted by this
gang and were admitted to hospital. One of them is a mediaperson who was
on duty when the incident took place.
He said the news room and several other places in the media
organization were set on blaze.
This gang has destroyed a TV and many other items which were in the
reception.
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