Reporters harrassed at checkpoint

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 November 1998, 07:39 GMT]
Newspaper reporters on their way to cover Parliamentary news and news about Ministerial decisions, were forced to undergo extremely stringent checks at the Jayanthipura junction on November 26th, and were not allowed to proceed in autos.

The inconvenienced reporters raised this issue at the Press Conference.

Although special areas are allocated to examine reporters, they were forced to wait in the sun in the middle of the road and their photographic and television equipment were given thorough examination, complained the reporters.

The associated Police Officer acted quite adamantly, informed the reporters.

Minister Mangala Samaraweera gave assurances that he will take prompt action.

Meanwhile, UNP MP A.H.M.Aswar requested the House to consider making arrangements for the reporters to travel in autos or in any other similar transport facility.