Batticaloa correspondat.
Independent journalist from Batticaloa District, Sasi Punniyamurthy, has received a death threat over the telephone.
Following the publication of a news report regarding a brutal assault that took place a few days ago in the Batticaloa Swiss Village area, the relevant suspect has allegedly issued a death threat against the journalist.
After the suspect was arrested by the police the day before yesterday and released yesterday, one of the suspects reportedly made a death threat via telephone at around 12.30 a.m. last night.
In connection with this death threat, journalist Sasi Punniyamurthy visited the Batticaloa Police Station today and formally lodged a complaint. He has also stated that if any harm comes to his life, the responsibility should lie with the said individuals.
It is particularly noted that in the Batticaloa District, journalists who carry out media work amid continuous threats have repeatedly faced intimidation, abductions, and enforced disappearances, a situation that still persists.
The affected journalist has further urged that threats against journalists must be stopped immediately, that the government should take action to ensure journalists can operate freely, and that those responsible should be produced before the law and punished accordingly.