Tamil journalists condemn attack on colleague

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 June 2002, 11:02 GMT]
Tamil journalists Friday slammed the attack by an unidentified group on the residence of a Tamil journalist who had named in a recent report, an extremist Muslim group as behind recent communal violence in the Mutur area of Trincomalee. "We strongly condemn the attack on the house of Mr.Satchivanandam on Wednesday morning," said a statement issued by the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance (SLTMA).

The statement further stated:

"According to reports received, Mr.Satchivanandam's house was attacked in connection with an interview given by him to the BBC Tamil channel naming that a Muslim group had been responsible for the disturbances in Muttur area. Following the interview an unidentified group had gone to his house in search of him and had attacked his house, an orphanage and the office of the rural development association under his management. When the incident took place Mr.Satchivanandan was not in his house. Hence he escaped from the attack. However his father-in-law Mr.Oppilamani was assaulted. He sustained injuries. Mr.Satchivanandan has sought refuge in a safe place with his family

"The Tamil Media Alliance considers the attack as an uncivilized act at a time when the peace process being taken forward under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

"It seems that the Police and security forces have not taken any firm step to prevent the attack, which took place in daytime around 10 in the morning.

"The Tamil Media Alliance requests the Government to order an impartial inquiry into the attack on Mr.Satchivanandan and to bring the offenders before the court of law and to ensure his safety."