Journalist association condemns attack on reporters

COLOMBO (News1st): The Professional Web Journalists Association has condemned the attack on two journalists in Mullaitivu recently. The association, in a statement, said individuals involved in sand and timber rackets were behind the attack in the Murippu area. It pointed out that individuals involved in sand rackets were behind the attack of a journalist in Monaragala recently. The pressure exerted by the government on media freedom in the North and East over the recent past, must not be forgotten, the statement added. It said the "thugs" involved in the recent attack Mullaitivu engage in logging with the assistance of the wildlife and forest departments and the police. "Attacks on journalists carried out with the support of the government machinery is not a good sign for the future," the Professional Web Journalists Association stressed. It urged the government to take full responsibility in arresting the suspects and bringing them before the law, to curb all forms of thuggery against journalists.