Police protection provided to senior television personality Chamuditha Samarawickrama has been withdrawn this week, according to the state-owned Dinamina newspaper.

Samarawickrama, whose residence in Piliyandala was attacked by unidentified individuals in February 2022, had been receiving round-the-clock police protection, with two officers deployed at his house. The protection was granted following a court order issued under the Assistance to and Protection of Victims and Witnesses Act of 2015.

President’s Counsel Kuwera De Zoysa had filed an application on 18 February 2022 before the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court, citing threats to Samarawickrama’s life, following the attack.