The Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over an accident involving a VIP vehicle attached to the Army Commander’s security convoy and a vehicle carrying a senior journalist, as well as allegations that the journalist’s complaint was subsequently distorted and his signature obtained under duress at the Welikada Police Station.
The SLWJA stressed that such alleged violations of the fundamental rights of civilians and journalists by security forces were a serious indication of the erosion of the rule of law in the country, and called on the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to directly intervene in the matter.
The incident reportedly involved Lahiru Doloswala, Web Editor of The Morning newspaper and Sri Lanka’s official news coordinator for Turkish state broadcaster TRT, and members of his family.
According to the SLWJA, Doloswala was travelling home with his wife and two young children on the night of 15 July when a Land Cruiser escort vehicle bearing the number YUH 18035, which was travelling with the Army Commander’s official vehicle, allegedly collided with the rear of his vehicle.
The Association alleged that following the accident, a group travelling in the escort vehicle, including a Commando officer holding the rank of Major, prevented Doloswala from recording the incident on his mobile phone and severely threatened him and his family.
It further alleged that around 30 Army personnel later entered the Welikada Police Station and obstructed law enforcement. The SLWJA claimed that, amid threats allegedly made by Police and Army personnel for more than four hours, footage on Doloswala’s mobile phone was forcibly deleted and he was compelled to sign an allegedly distorted complaint (AIB 396/183).
The SLWJA called for an immediate and formal disciplinary inquiry into all officers allegedly involved in the incident, stating that the alleged abuse of official authority had also damaged the reputation of the Sri Lanka Army.
