Speaking to Groundviews, Gnanasundaram Kuganathan, the editor of the Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna who was severely injured in a beating by pro-government paramilitaries, vowed to continue reporting on 'activities against humanity'.
“It’s a miracle that I survived. I was beaten almost to death. Many attempts have been made to kill me, so that my writing will come to an end! I did not think that, I will survive. The God has saved me to serve the people through journalism. I am slowly recovering. Today, I am blessed to be alive. I have highlighted many issues in my writing. I want to continue to highlight the activities against the humanity, but I am not sure whether I will be able to hold the pen again, because my right hand fingers are frozen” said Gnanasundaram.
The veteran journalist was viciously attacked shortly after the TNA's stunning election success in July.
“It was a Friday. On 29th of July 2011, I was walking home for dinner from the office. I shouted “அம்மா” “அம்மா” ~ Amma”, “Amma” (Mother, Mother) after the two young men hit me with iron rods on my head and right hand. I ran into my house, I was in critical condition, and later I was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital (Intensive Care Unit) by my fellow journalists. I was unconscious for three days at the intensive care unit of the hospital. I can identify the two young men who have brutally assaulted me. One person is a tall man and the other is a short man. Both men are below 30 year old”
See full article in Groundviews here
The attack was condemned by Reporters Without Borders, the Sri Lanka Tamil Media Alliance, and Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka.
