July 31, Colombo: The United States today condemned the attack on the studios of Siyatha Television and its affiliated radio stations by an unknown armed group.

Issuing a statement the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said this attack, together with the unsolved disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda and other acts of violence against the press, serves to intimidate journalists and to further imperil media freedoms in Sri Lanka.

"We welcome the announcement of a police investigation since only a credible inquiry will bring the perpetrators to justice," the statement said.

An armed mob of around 12 people had entered the Siyatha premises early Friday morning and set fire to the studios of the TV and radio station severely damaging the building and destroying the equipment. Two employees have been injured in the attack.