Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association (SLWJA) has called for an immediate, impartial investigation into an incident involving a security officer attached to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a television cameraman outside the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.
The incident occurred on Sept. 30 as Wickremesinghe was leaving court following proceedings in a case relating to the alleged misuse of state funds.
According to the SLWJA, the security officer was admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo after allegedly being struck on the head with a camera during the incident near the entrance to the court.
The association said both journalists’ right to report information to the public and the safety of security officers carrying out their duties must be protected.
It called on Sri Lanka Police to conduct a prompt, fair and impartial investigation to determine whether the security officer’s duties had been obstructed or whether the journalist’s ability to carry out his professional duties and exercise media freedom had been interfered with.
The SLWJA also said the incident highlighted broader concerns over the safety of both journalists and security personnel and urged authorities to give the matter serious attention.
The statement was issued by SLWJA President Ranga Bandaranayake and General Secretary Mithun Jayawardhana. (Newswire)
