Attack on Journalists: Prosecute under Torture Act

COLOMBO (News 1st); MTV Channel (Private) Limited in a letter to the IGP demand that the Special Task Force Officers and Police Officers who illegally and unlawfully, brutally attacked News 1st Journalists should be charged under the provisions of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act. MTV Channel (Private) Limited stresses that the said officers are liable to be prosecuted under the said act which is also the Torture Act of Sri Lanka. MTV Channel (Private) Limited also urges the response for the following three matters of concern; 1. Under whose direction were the assaults on our News 1st journalists made? 2. What immediate disciplinary action will be taken against the illegal and unlawful assaults? 3. What remedial measures will be taken to ensure media freedom? MTV Channel (Private) Limited urges Inspector General of Police C. D. Wickramaratne to ensure that there are no such attempts to intimidate us or to act in any manner, either by himself or by directing any third parties, to prevent our media or journalists from continuing to professionally discharge our responsibilities and duties as a broadcast media organization, and body of professionals.