Masked individuals stage protest opposite News1st

Colombo (News1st) - A protest was staged by a group of individuals calling themselves civil activists opposite the News 1st Head Quarters a short while ago. The group initially wanted to hand over a letter to the organization but when News 1st refused to accept it, some of the masked individuals verbally abused News 1sts journalists. The group noted that they would be visiting all media institutions in a similar manner and hand over each organization a letter. News 1st broke news moments after the group entered the organization's premises, revealing the identities of several individuals present at the time. Several actors, actresses, artists, and so-called web activists were amongst the protestors. Many of them made a name for themselves by being given airtime on the very media institutions they are protesting against. Politicians from all sides of the aisle came out strongly against the incident. The Leader of the Opposition, former President Mahinda Rajapakse, The Deputy Leader of the UNP and Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa, The Former Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody and the Marxist-JVP all made statements condemning the protest. News 1st will reveal the identities of the individuals who carried out the protest and the organizations behind it, in the interest of the public. It must be kept in mind that a group of masked individuals arriving unannounced en masse will be considered a grave threat on any organization be it media or otherwise. Latest reports reaching News 1st suggest that the group has also arrived at the Ceylon Today newspaper editorial office and were greeted with jeers and counter-protests by the staff, forcing the masked group to make a quick getaway.