Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Ms. Darshika Wimalasiri directed police to immediately arrest the goons involved in the assault on Sirasa TV Anuaradhapura correspondent Rizvi Mahroof at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital and obstructing his work. The thugs had also taken away the video camera and the mobile phone belonging to the journalist.
The Magistrate made this order when the B report pertaining to the assault on Sirasa TV Anuradhapura correspondent, was taken up for hearing. The correspondent had gone to the hospital in order to cover a news story and was attacked by a gang last Tuesday night (26).
Producing a report, the CID informed court that the complainant correspondent had gone to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to cover a news story over a shooting incident that took place at the Ratmalwetiya, Eppawala. Two persons had been admitted to the hospital and the correspondent had visited the hospital at around 11.00 pm on that date.
After revealing his identity at the hospital, a group of people had assaulted him and caused damage to the camera and taken away his mobile phone. Police further said that the video camera was valued at nearly Rs.200,000 and the assault victim was undergoing treatment at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.Police informed court that they were conducting proper investigations to arrest the suspects under the direction of North Central DIG Kithsiri Dayananda and IP Gnanasena.
According to the complaint, Mr. Mahroof had complained to the police that he was assaulted by a group led by a secretary to a politician.