Tamil journalist attacked by unidentified person in Mullaitivu

19 June 2022

Tamil journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan was attacked by an unidentified man at Mallavi petrol station while reporting on a story on the fuel shortage on the island. 

Thavaseelan went to Mallavi petrol station in Mullaitivu on Friday, to report on the long queues that had built up outside the petrol station but was attacked by an unidentified man while Sri Lankan police officers reportedly looked on. Thavaseelan has filed a complaint at Mallavi police station. 

This is not the first time Thavaseelan has been assaulted whilst working. In October 2020, Thavaseelan alongside another journalist, Kanapathipillai Kumanan were attacked with iron rods while reporting on a story on illegal logging timber smuggling.  

Press freedom continues to be a major concern in Sri Lanka as journalists continue to face surveillance, harassment and violence for their work.