Here is a statement issued by the United National Freedom Front regarding the attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickenrama.

Condemn the cowardly and despicable attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema

 The United National Freedom Front (UNF) strongly condemns the cowardly and despicable attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema on the morning of 14/02/2022.

This attack proves that history is repeating itself over and over again. Sri Lanka has not had a very good experience with media freedom in the last two decades or so, and history has been tainted by the heinous acts of assassination, abduction, amputation, home invasion, and so on.

Although this indecent attack was aimed at Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrema or his house, our party sees this as a serious warning to the entire media and to the media which publishes free news. If this is the fate of a Sri Lankan celebrity under a government that has rulers who spend time boasting morning and evening about national security, then we are questioning what security is in place for the security of the average citizen.

Despite the government claiming that the security of the country has been beefed up, the assailants have managed to flee after attacking Chamuditha Samarawickrema’s house with dirt and stones. We also question the action taken by the police in this regard, even though Mr. Chamuditha Samarawickrema had earlier complained that he had received death threats. It is yet to be ascertained as to who carried out the attack.

However, it is the responsibility of the government to conduct a fair and formal investigation and reveal the truth to the country. It should be noted here that the very attempt of a group claiming to be the backbenchers of the government to issue this message in a different direction has raised some suspicions among us.

However, it should be noted that we, as a party, continue to intervene to raise a just and democratic voice on behalf of any free media institution or journalist operating in Sri Lanka, and we emphasize that we will stand firm for their right to life. 

Kirithi Dunuwila Secretary of Media and Publicity United National Freedom Front