6 May 2010 11:09 am
“We must ensure there is no harm not just to journalists but even insects. We must all ensure that we carry out our duties with care. While carrying out these duties if people do unnecessary things they will have to face the consequences. This incident may have been a mistake but still we must make sure these kind of incidents do not happen again,” Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva told Daily Mirror online.
Sandun A. Jayasekera was assaulted by security officers providing security at the Maharagama cancer hospital while President Mahinda Rajapaksa was attending an event at the hospital last morning.
According to Mr. Jayasekara the security officers had not allowed him to enter the premises to cover the event despite him receiving an official media invitation. Mr. Jayasekara had produced his media card to the security officers but they had scolded him in filth.
However later officers of the Presidential security Division (PSD) who had recognized Mr. Jayasekera invited him inside to cover the event.
Following the event when Mr. Jayasekara was leaving the premises the soldiers who had earlier prevented him from entering the premises rounded him up and assaulted him seemingly embarrassed that he was allowed in to cover the event despite the soldiers not giving him permission.
Mr. Jayasekara was admitted to the Colombo National hospital for treatment yesterday and was to be discharged this evening. (Daily Mirror online)