Attacks on the media men

-Virekesari Editorial

(August 31, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is regrettable that Sri Lankan media has become a profession that faces serious challenges. Media men want to engage in their day to day activities freely and without fear.

However, unfortunately they are unable to do their work properly as a result of the recent turn of events in which they face threats. In the back drop of this, media in Sri Lanka is considered as a fearsome occupation and Sri Lanka is criticized as the most precarious place for journalists in the world.

Media men act with the intention of highlighting the problems of the people. They focus on issues such as bribery, corruption etc in the society. Certain forces which cannot bear the fact they are being exposed are tying to show their protest and attack the media men.

Meanwhile, threats faced by the journalists have attracted the attention of the international community. International community has been expressing their grave concern over the attacks on the media men.

Four Media men who went to collect news have been attacked by some medical students of the University of Colombo. Their video cameras also have been grabbed by them. It is reported that journalists are from Lankadeepa and Sirasa.

Media men who went to get views regarding the GCE A/L paper correction are the ones who were attacked. Following that, another set of journalists who videoed the incident also have been attacked and their photos and video have been destroyed by the students.

This act has brought disgrace to the image of the university students. If the students have encountered any problem, they could have sorted it out in a decent manner. University students who have to be an example to many, have acted in an irresponsible manner.

The government should take measures to stop attacks on the media men. If this trend is not arrested, the international image of the country will be tarnished!

(An English translation of the Editorial in Viirakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo.) - Sri Lanka Guardian