Journalists fired on amid election violence

[TamilNet, Friday, 22 January 1999, 10:36 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the vehicle in which a group of foreign and local journalists and photographers were travelling at Chillaw-Aanamaduwa road last night. However, no one was injured.

Sources said the journalists Amal Jeyasinghe (AFP), Varma (PTI), Sulavansa Srilal (Yukthiya, a Sinhala Weekly), Senavithana Gamge (AFP photographer) and Siriyantha Valpole (The Hindu,Indian daily, photographer) were in the vehicle.

Meanwhile an office belonging to the main Sri Lankan opposition UNP in Chilaw was attacked by a group of unidentified men last night.

UNP sources said the attackers who had arrived in a truck were supporters of the ruling People's Alliance (PA).

The Chilaw police who are conducting investigations said no one has been arrested as yet.

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan Police have announced that they have cancelled leave for all police personnel in view of the elections.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Southern region, Seniveratna Banda said more police personnel are required for election duty.