The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Sri Lanka to conduct a "swift and impartial" investigation into the assault and attempted abduction of Tamil journalist Murugaiyah Thamilselvan.
On December 26 2024, Thamilselvan was on his way home on December 26 2024 when two unknown assailants tried to abduct him. Thamilselvan was taken to Kilinochchi District Hospital for treatment.
"Sri Lankan authorities must take immediate steps to ensure the safety of journalist Murugaiyah Thamilselvan and his family," Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ's Program Director said.
"The recently elected Sri Lankan government must put an end to the longstanding impunity surrounding the harassment and assaults on Tamil journalists," they added.
The freelance journalist has been reporting on political corruption, social issues confronting the public, administrative malpractice, corruption, environmental destruction, illegal drugs trade as well as soil and sand smuggling.
Thamilselvan told CPJ that the police arrested two suspects on December 27 but they were released on bail on December 30 even though Thamilselvan had identified the assailants in court.
