Muslim journalist attacked for exposing corruption

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 February 2011, 04:31 GMT]
An unidentified group of assailants attacked the Chief Editor of the weekly Batticaloa newspaper ‘Vaara Uraikal’ with iron rods after throwing chilli powder on the editor's face on Monday evening in Kaaththaankudi, sources in Batticaloa said. Puvi Rahumathulla, was admitted in the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital for treatment. Media sources alleged that the attack had been carried out by an armed gang at the instigation of M.L.A.M. Hisbullah, a deputy minister the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government led by Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse.

Rahumathulla came under attack while he was walking on receipt of a telephone call to meet a delegation that was reported to have arrived from a foreign country. He was attacked in front of Kaathankudy orphanage, according to complaint lodged with the Kaathankudy Police.

The sources added that this was not the first time Rahumathulla was attacked by armed men with political backing.

He came under attack two years ago in 2009 and the paper was set on fire for exposing corruption and irregularities prevailing in Kaathankudy area. It was widely believed that the attack took place with the blessing of a powerful government politician.

In 2010 armed gang had looted his house and damaged his properties.

Sri Lanka police failed to apprehend the suspects in the two attackers.

Chronology: