LankaeNews.com:
Lanka e news website has been set on fire this early morning (31) at about 2.00 a.m. by a group of unidentified individuals. Consequently , the main office of the website comprising the computer Hall and the most precious and valuable Library have been completely destroyed. The building where the office was maintained is so badly damaged that it is not in a state for continuation of website operations .
By now it has become very clear that the fire has been created by the use of fuel – petrol .The arsonists have broken open the front door and entered the premises to commit the crime.
Following the explosion of a screen of a computer sounding like a bomb when the fire was raging , the neighborhood have woken up. Though they have tried to douse the flames they had not been successful. After the neighbors have informed the police emergency unit of the incident the police had arrived. The Editor of the website has complained to the OIC Upul Perera of the Koswatte police over the phone. The owner of the premises too has lodged a complaint with the police.
It is reported that two unidentified suspicious looking individuals had been hovering around the Lanka e news premises yesterday (30) and had inquired about the staff from a shop.
DailyMirror:
MR orders urgent inquiry
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the Police Chief to conduct an urgent inquiry into the attack on the Lanka e news office in Malabe, Presidential Spokesman Bandula Jayasekera told Daily Mirror.
At about 2.00 am today, a group of unknown persons broke into the premises and set it on fire. Lanka e news reported that everything in the building had been destroyed. (DS)
UNP condemns arson attack
The UNP, while condemning the arson attack on the office of ‘LankaeNews’ said today that the party would mobilize people across the country against what it cited as the emerging tyranny.
Addressing a press conference, UNP MP for the Matara district Mangala Samaraweera said that this was a serious blow on democracy and media freedom.
“We know LankaeNews took a rigid stand in its media coverage. They were sometimes critical of the UNP too, he said. (KB)
Attempts to destroy Govt. image
The attack on news website, LankaeNews was carried out by a group in an attempt to destroy the image of the Government in the eyes of the people, Media and Mass Media and Communications Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella said
Rambukwella added that the attack was carried out during a crucial time when nominations for local government elections have just been completed and that it is also a time when the Government holds a major responsibility in protecting the reputation of the country when the international community is focusing its attention on the country.
“Those responsible for the attack on LankaeNews have committed this heinous crime just so as to direct the blame on the Government and to create problems for us. Their intention is create unpleasantness for us,” Rambukwella said.
He said that the killings and abductions of journalists in the past have been proof of that. He said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the Police and the Ministry of Media and Mass Media and Communications to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter.
“The Government has no intention whatsoever of creating trouble for media organizations or news websites since they have received the Government’s support to carry out their work as they should,” he said.