M.A. Sumanthiran, a parliamentarian from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), condemned the recent attack by the army on a Tamil journalist in Mullivaikkal. Vishvalingam Vishvachandran was physically assaulted when he was in the area as a reporter to take pictures.
In a statement he put out, Sumanthiran said the incident was “highly condemnable” and called for justice to be delivered to Vishvachandran.
He also said that the release of the soldiers on bail following their arrest was a tokenistic gesture and advocated for tougher measures.
“We request the government and relevant officials to create conditions so that an independent investigation could be initiated and the affected journalist secure justice,” Sumanthiran said.
He further called out the growing intimidation of journalists, especially Tamil ones, and deteriorating press freedom in the island.
