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Prison guard transferred for obstructing media personnel
View(s):A prison guard was transferred from Colombo to Pallanchena, Negombo, for obstructing journalists who were covering the sentencing of former Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana -one of the accused in the murder of British tourist Kurham Shaikh and the gang-rape of his girlfriend Victoria Alexandrovna.
Prison guards who led Sampath Vidanapathirana out of the High Court in Colombo, pushed journalists who had gathered outside the court premises on the day judgment was delivered, and tried to prevent them from taking photographs. In the melee, several photojournalists were shoved around.
Prisons Department spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya said the transfer of the officer was made after complaints he had obstructed media personnel covering court.