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.