Sri Lanka opposition MP claims web journalist abducted, assaulted and released

ECONOMYNEXT – A Sri Lankan web journalist who had allegedly been abducted in a black van and then released with assault injuries was taken in for surgery this morning, opposition MP Dr Harsha de Silva told EconomyNext.

According to de Silva, the journalist, Sujeewa Gamage, who contributes to the Siyarata News website, was tortured for information on his sources and political contacts.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) tweeted this morning that Gamage was then dumped on a street corner.

What we hear is that “#SriLanka Siyarata web journalist Sujeewa Gamage was gagged, hooded, thrown into a black van and tortured for info on his sources and political contacts before being dumped on a street corner.” Pres @GotabayaR are you going to let abductions start again? https://t.co/KMZvIVXY43

— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) March 15, 2021

The MP’s tweet was a quote-tweet response to former speaker Karu Jayasuriya who said the alleged abduction was a reminder of the pre-Yahapalana years.

Resembling the pre-2015 era, a journalist has been abducted, assaulted, and threatened on the 10th. Lack of solidarity in the media industry to stand up for their victimized fellow is worrisome. The culprits must be investigated and punished to restore trust in the authorities.

— Karu Jayasuriya (@KaruOnline) March 14, 2021

EconomyNext reached out to the Free Media Movement and the police, but they said they were not aware of the incident.

Reported by Mahadiya Hamza (Colombo/Mar15/2021)