Journalist assaulted by Naval Intelligence officers

Police escort the Naval officer accused of assaulting the media yesterday

A photojournalist attached to The Sunday Morning newspaper was assaulted by a Naval Intelligence officer who accompanied the Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne to the Fort Magistrate›s Court yesterday. 

Indika Handuwala was assaulted when Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was leaving the courtroom upon its adjournment for a few hours after surrendering to court yesterday morning. 

The photojournalist was assaulted for attempting to photograph Wijegunaratne as he was leaving court. 

The Naval officers had then tried to push Handuwala and other journalists aside, while one officer hit the photojournalist in the chest. The assailant was immediately detained by the police post at court, which recorded a statement from the suspect. 

The Naval officer was, however, never produced before the Fort Magistrate, even though the intimidation occurred on the court premises. The officer later apologised to the media, saying they were not acting on the instructions of the CDS.