Goons attack journalist in Colombo

[TamilNet, Friday, 18 July 2008, 20:17 GMT]
A journalist attached to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Yohan Perera, was manhandled by 'political goons,' while he was on coverage of the demolition of unauthorized structures in Slave Island, Colombo, by the urban development Authority Friday, media sources in Colombo said. The demolition comes as Sri Lankan authorities were preparing to host the SAARC summit in Colombo.

Mr. Yohan Perera was subsequently hospitalized with a swollen cheek.

The UDA demolished more than 500 structures despite a Supreme Court order to halt the action. Some of the residents have been living for more than 40 years in the area.