Arrest of TV journalist over murder; wife goes to HRCSL

The wife of the journalist of a private TV channel, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident that took place at Talduwa in Avissawella on September 20, has lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).

Police recently arrested four persons including a journalist of a private TV channel in connection with the shooting incident.

Two men were killed and two others injured after an armed gunman opened fire at a group travelling in a three-wheeler at Gurupasgoda, Ihala Thalduwa in Awissawella.

The journalist is suspected of assisting criminal Manna Ramesh by sharing information. 

Police arrested the journalist at his residence in Meegoda. A check of his mobile phone revealed that he had made several phone calls to Manna Ramesh over the past few days.

In her complaint with the HRCSL, she alleged that her husband had suddenly disappeared on September 24.

Journalis Hemantha Liyanapathirana's wife has also filed a complaint with the Meegoda Police regarding the disappearance.

She complained to the HRCSL that her husband is being detained by the Avissawella Police, and alleged that her lawyers were not given an opportunity to provide him with legal assistance and had presented him before courts to obtain detention orders.

She also alleged that the police did not inform his family members about his arrest but had given the information about it to the media.

The wife of the journalist in the relevant complaint said that her husband was arrested illegally and has further requested the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission to take appropriate action against the relevant officers of the STF accused of being involved in this act.