The Free Media Movement (FMM) strongly condemns the inhumane assault on Supreme Dasatha TV journalist Dhanushka Seneviratne by a group claiming to be from the police and calls for an immediate and urgent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The FMM deems it the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police to act swiftly and expose those responsible for the heinous act carried out in its name.

The journalist who sustained severe head and arm injuries from the attack is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m. on June 21, 2024, when a group claiming to be from the police entered Seneviratne’s place of accommodation in Kelaniya in the guise of looking for a certain individual and then proceeded to assault him.

According to Seneviratne, he had been asleep when the unknown persons knocked on the door claiming to be from the police.  Compelled to open the door, because of the police claim, he had been confronted by the group inquiring about another individual. Upon being told the individual was not there, they began assaulting him with a chair until it broke apart.

Seneviratne’s narration indicates the attack occurred after he opened the door, believing the group to be police officers. Therefore, it is the immediate responsibility of the Sri Lanka Police to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

The Free Media Movement, while strongly condemning the incident, also expresses its concerns about criminal elements attempting to tarnish the reputation of the police, especially at a time when it is aiming to improve its standing with operations such as Yukthiya.