Journalists complain to police about threat

Saturday, 05 October 2013 

Two journalists have lodged a complaint at the Kilinochchi Police on the threat to their safety after covering the recently concluded Northern Provincial Council elections.

Hiru TV Kilinochchi reporter Ananda Fernando and Swarnawahini Kilinochchi reporter C.S. Kodikara have reportedly told the police that they had taken accommodation in a room at a house in Jayanthi Road, Kilinochchi when they were covering the events of the Northern Provincial Council election.

However, the two journalists have returned to Colombo on 22nd September after the elections.

It was then that they were informed by the property-owner that an intrusion had taken place in search of them, the following day, at about 1:55 a.m.

It was reported that a group of unidentified individuals had come to the house asking for the two journalists and the property owner, a woman, had prevented the attempt to break through the locked gates saying that she would call the police and complain for the safety of her family.

The gang had reportedly asked the owner to bring out the journalists. However, when she had threatened to call the police, the gang had left the place.

The two journalists have also been informed by the property owner that on the following night at about 11 p.m., an unidentified gang in three motor cycles had loitered in the neighbourhood.

The journalists have then complained to the police.