National Bhikkhu Front condemns attack on Rupavahini cameraman

National Bhikku Front has condemned the attack on Rupavahini Cameraman when he went to cover the UNP protest meeting in Polonnaruwa.

"The UNP which shed crocodile tears over the killing of Sivaram, has manifested very clearly how they treat mediamen in the way they assaulted the television cameraman. Galle district UNP MP Hemakumara Nanayakkara who cry from house-tops to protect democracy has instigated the attack. The UNP has never allowed the mediamen to do their duty freely. The UNP was behind the cold blooded murder of mediaman H.E. Dayananda. They were responsible for the abduction and assaulting brutally and killing him finally. It was the UNP that kept on chasing and attacking them. All these are clear manifestations that the UNP will not allow the mediamen to do their job freely", a statement issued by NBF said.

The statement signed by the Chief Patron Ven. Prof. Aththangane Rathanapala Thera and NBF Chairman Ven. Dambara Amila Thera, Lecturer at the Sri Jayawardenepura University said that the UNP should take the responsibility for the attack of the Rupavahini cameraman.

The TV coverage unfolded on the screen showed how Hemakumara got the crowd to attack the cameraman. He was directly involved in the attack as shown by the TV. "We wish to know what sort of democracy Hemakumara was preaching in getting the crowd to attack a cameraman who was doing his duty by the people. The other gentlemen who also hail and espouse the free media should not be complacent by merely making a statement to the media saying that the UNP should ask for pardon for their misdeeds.

But they should show how to put the real Free Media into action. They too should raise their voice against the assault of the cameraman as they did regarding the killing of Sivaram. If they fail to do that the people will judge them. As this is not the first and the last attack of the UNP, we emphasise the mediamen should rally round to protect their right to express their views freely.The NBF will also be present to give its maximum support in such an event," the statement added.