SLWJA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON THE HOUSE OF JOURNALIST/PRESENTER CHAMUDITHA SAMARAWICKRAMA
14th February 2022
Colombo
PRESS RELEASE
SLWJA STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON THE HOUSE OF JOURNALIST/PRESENTER CHAMUDITHA SAMARAWICKRAMA
Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) strongly condemns with disgust the attack on the house of Journalist/Presenter, Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrama in the dawn of 14th February 2022.
We are of the view that the purpose of such attacks are to pose a serious threat to media freedom in the country. This incident which took place just after the Black January Commemoration, could be an alarm too, to the media society. Also in an environment where justice has not yet been done for the journalists who have been murdered, brutally tortured and forcibly disappeared in this country, such attacks may be a reminder of the same dark past.
On the other hand, SLWJA believes that the release of perpetrators involved in all sorts of crimes against the media in the past could be a blessing in disguise. Also prompt investigations into the attack and bringing the perpetrators to justice should be a top priority of the responsible legal authorities.
If there is a problem with any party regarding Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s use of media, it should be reported to the relevant authorities in accordance with the law of the country. It should be noted that Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association strongly condemns such attacks which create serious problems for media freedom and will not hesitate to seek possible interventions in locally and internationally to prevent such situations.
Duminda Sampath Frank De Zoysa
President Secretary
