Call to release arrested journalist Malika

Journalist Malika Abeykoon who has been assaulted and arrested has been placed under remand custody until Monday the 12th. Abeykoon was allegedly assaulted and arrested while he was reporting on a protest march organized by the United Health Workers Union on Wednesday. media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for his immediate release.

 

“RSF strongly condemns the arrest of photoreporter Malika Abeykoon while he was covering a protest by health workers yesterday in Colombo. He was assaulted by the police and has been remanded until 12 April. He must be released now!” RSF stated in a tweet on Thursday (08).

 

The Free Media Movement (FMM) strongly condemned the arrest and assault of Malika Abeykoon,  saying the act is “ a heinous act of the police,”
The police spokesman has so far not commented on the incident.