Freedom of media is vital -UN

1 February 2011 03:20 am

With reference to the attack on the office of the Lanakenews website, the United Nations said that freedom of the media is vital and journalists should be able to carry out their work without fear of attack.

Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Martin Nesirky said …freedom of the media is vital and journalists should be able to carry out their work without fear of attack or being harassed to do the work that they need to do.”

The Lankaenews office in Malabe was set on fire last morning by a group of unidentified men. The incident took place at 1.30 a.m. The entire office was gutted when the police arrived.

Police media spokesman Prishantha Jayakody said that Inspector General of Police Mahinda Balasuriya had appointed a team led by DIG to probe the matter.