A journalist working for the ‘Lanka’ newspaper campaigning for an art festival in Moneragala was assaulted by a gang of thugs headed by a regional politician in the area this evening, Lanka Editor Chandana Sirimalwatte told Daily Mirror online.
Sirimalwatte added that after the journalist had been assaulted his mobile phone was taken away. The assault had taken place after the journalist had taken a photograph of the vehicle the thugs had used.
After the intervention of the police, the matter was settled and the politician had promised not to hinder the work of ‘Lanka’ journalists in the future.
Sirimalwatte added that a bystander who had inquired into what was going on had also been severely assaulted by one of the thugs. (GS)