Three teams probing attack on journalist, political officer

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Manjula Fernando

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the Government has deployed three teams to probe the assault on the British High Commission's Political Officer Mahendra Ratnaweera and Sri Lanka Press Institute Project Coordinator Namal Perera by an unidentified group on Monday.

"This is a well organised process launched by certain elements to discredit the Government. We have already deployed three teams to identify who are behind this scene. We can't point the finger at anybody until correct information is gathered on this incident.

However, the Government has no intention whatsoever to sweep this incident under the carpet," the Minister told the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday.

As a Government we vehemently condemned this attack. "The Government is conducting special investigations to identify the culprits who are behind these incidents. The Special Ministerial Committee appointed to look into the grievances on journalists will also meet on Monday to discuss this issue. It will also be discussed with the relevant media organisations."

The Newspapers Publishers Association has pledged to give a cash award to those who divulge information on this attack.

In addition President Mahinda Rajapaksa also decided to give cash awards to the people who provide information regarding this assault, he said.

"It is the responsibility of the Government to investigate on what element and for what purpose they are launching these attacks against journalists.

The Government will use its full strength to look into these incidents," the Minister said.

Minister Yapa also requested the journalists to provide information to the Special Ministerial Committee if they have doubts on any threats.

"It is our responsibility to prevent any such incidents before they happen."

Journalists have the right to express their views. The Government firmly ensure their freedom of expression. However the Government requests all journalists not to publish anything which is beneficial to the enemy, the Minister added.