Attack on Journalists: MTV gives evidence to HRCSL

Attack on Journalists: MTV Network Gives Evidence to Human Rights Commission

by Zulfick Farzan 27-07-2022 | 6:02 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); MTV Channel Private Limited gave evidence to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (27) afternoon on the attack on its journalists on the 9th of July 2022.

The HRCSL had provided dates for the journalists who were injured in the attack to provide evidence as well.

On the 9th of july 2022, Sri Lanka witnessed its largest ever anti-government protest in decades, as thousands made their way to the country’s capital Colombo on Saturday (9) and occupied the President’s Office, and the President’s House forcing then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his aides to flee.

Following the massive protest during the day, Sri Lankans then proceeded to another part of Colombo not far from the main protest site in Galle Face. They marched to the private residence of then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, located in an exclusive neighborhood.

It was during the live coverage of this protest that a team of News 1st journalists came under attack from security forces.

What Happened?

A team of News 1st journalists reached the protest march at around 7:10 PM on Saturday (9) to record footage and go-live during the 7 PM Prime Time News Bulletin.

At approximately 7:20 PM News 1st did a live coverage from the protest site, where tensions were rising between security forces and Sri Lankans demanding change.

News 1st’s Sarasi Peiris, and Judin Sinthujan were reporting on the protests with Camerman Warun Sampath, and Janith Mendis from News 1st Digital.

However, what happened afterwards was a brutal and inhumane attacked by the Police and the Police Special Task Force on unarmed News 1st Journalists.

As footage of the attack rolled live, with many watching in disbeliefe, a team from News 1st rushed to the scene to bring back their injured colleagues.

Security Forces then fired tear gas and attacked another four News 1st journalists.

These journalists were Kalimuttu Chandran, Imesh Sutherland, Chanuka Weerakoon, and Banidu Lokuruge.

The injured journalists were then rushed to the Colombo National Hospital.

23-year-old Journalist and Anchor Sarasi Peiris suffered serious injuries to her head and back.

Waruna Sampath, Judin Sinthujan, and Janitha Mendis also suffered serious injuries.