June 30, Colombo: Two prominent media employees, Namal Perera, the course coordinator of the Sri Lanka Press Institute, and Mahinda Rathnaweera, the media officer of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, were assaulted this evening in Narahenpita by a gang traveling in a van.

According to informed sources, the two victims were travelling in a vehicle when the gang intervened and assaulted them with clubs right in front of the Government Information Department premises. The two have been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo with injuries.

Many media rights groups have expressed their concerns over the recent increase in attacks on employees of media institutions in Sri Lanka. While some controversial media rights groups point their finger at the government for such attacks, the government has denied any responsibility.

The government defence establishment has so far been unsuccessful in bringing to justice any perpetrators of these attacks on media employees.