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Journalist Assaulted in Sri Lanka - Half hair , beard shaven off

by israeli.agent | June 1, 2009 at 08:47 am

185 views | 31 Recommendations | 10 comments

Poddala Jayantha, General secretary of Sri Lanka workin journalist's association was abducted and assaulted today afternoon. He was on his way back home from work while this incident happened. He is admitted to the Columbo General Hospital and seems to be out of danger.

Journalist Poddala Jayantha was severely assaulted by a group of persons this afternoon.

He has been admitted to Colombo General Hospital and a hospital spokesman said that there were serious injuries to his legs.

Update ..!

A Sri Lankan journalist is in hospital after being abducted and beaten by unidentified attackers.

Poddala Jayantha received head and leg injuries in the attack near his home in the Colombo suburb of Nugegoda.

Mr Jayantha campaigns for media freedom and is seen by government supporters as an opponent of the authorities.

Critics in Sri Lanka's local media have come under extreme pressure in the past few years. Several independent journalists have been killed.

Mr Jayantha, the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, was kidnapped on Monday while he was walking near his home on the outskirts of the capital.

BBC correspondents say he was named by government politicians as an anti-government campaigner who had been instrumental in tarnishing the name of the government.

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lalith

at 08:58 on June 1st, 2009

This is wrong! Whoever who did it must face the consequences.

B12N

at 09:40 on June 1st, 2009

Campaigns for media freedom in Sri Lanka? Brave man!

Luckily he survived. So let's wait for the investigation. But I'm afraid that the Sri Lankan government will sabotage the investigation.

But in my view the main 'suspect' is...

senthil5000

at 17:12 on June 1st, 2009

Thats what happen to anyone talking against government. yes it may be Kothapaya group or karuna group linked to government !!

senthil5000

at 18:56 on June 1st, 2009

Journalist and media activist Poddala Jayantha lies in Colombo National Hospital after being abducted and assaulted by unidentified assailants June 1, 2009.

Journalist and media activist Poddala Jayantha lies in Colombo ...

prasa (not verified)

at 03:44 on June 2nd, 2009

the best thing is that there is no more ltte terrorism;

and it's good that more and more tamils started to make their voices heard to back fellow Sinhalese. it's a very good trend. keep it up; think they are slowly crossing the line – we should encourage them more

freedomwriters (not verified)

at 13:44 on June 2nd, 2009

But the poor thing is there is state terrorism still .. and it continues !!

Journalists abductions are one of the primary responsiblity of Karuna group and government gang !! Another proof ..

prasa (not verified)

at 01:12 on June 3rd, 2009

can not agree but -

Getting hit by “some one” is the main qualifications to get VISA to a western country. This is the trend now – all their employers are in hell (ltte) this is the best option for these media vultures. Both their goals are fulfilled; visa and blame on SriLanka..money,money,money....

see.., if gunapaala, my village thug was beaten by general public for his notorious acts- no one cares; this could be another incident. There are many incidents like this in our day to day life. Not only in SriLanka – every where in the world! Wonder why those are not highlighted??? Who is jayantha???. Could be another individual whose actions were/are rejected by general public? I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do – but the general public had enough of these vultures.

sivakaran

at 12:39 on June 3rd, 2009

At least 20 Sri Lankan journalists have fled after receiving death threats and 14 have been killed since the beginning of the military campaign to crush the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2006. Others have been arbitrarily arrested and tortured or disappeared while in custody.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6410765.ece