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I know who my attackers are says journalist
View(s):The provincial journalist who was brutally assaulted allegedly by a gang engaged in the artificial toddy racket says he was targetted for his reporting on the issue.
Thusitha Kumara De Silva when he was receiving treatment at the Kalutara Hospital and below his wife
The attackers first struck the home of journalist Thusitha Kumara De Silva on the evening of December 6. At the time, he had gone to pick up his wife Anusha Kumari (49) who works at the Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha. “Only my 15-year-old son was at home. He had run out from the back door when they started attacking and had gone to a neighbour’s house to phone me. But just at that moment, we arrived at the house and saw what was happening,” Thusitha, who also works as a journalist for our sister newspaper Lankadeepa, told the Sunday Times.
Upon seeing the couple arrive, the gang had turned on them. Both Thusitha and his wife were attacked. Thusitha was beaten severely with wooden poles. The attackers fled after robbing him of his mobile phone and Rs. 5000 in cash. They had also caused extensive damage to the house, including destroying the fish tank that had been lovingly maintained by Thusitha’s son, killing all the fish.
Thusitha and his wife were initially admitted to Aluthgama hospital before being transferred to the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital for treatment. Thusitha who had the more serious injuries was discharged on December 10. 
The incident led to a protest by area residents and media rights groups in Aluthgama town. The suspects had all fled the area soon after the attack. They were only tracked down and arrested from various parts of the country after the deployment of the Kalutara Special Crime Investigation Unit.
Kalutara Division’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police , Wijitha Gunaratne said all suspects involved in the attack were now under arrest. They were produced before the Kalutara Chief Magistrate and have been remanded till December 20.
Thusitha said he has been covering the artificial toddy racket in the area for about three years now. “I have gone with the STF on their raids and have written about them. I know all those who attacked me as they too are from the area. I have been threatened before not to report on this issue and think they attacked me as I didn’t back down.”
Highlighting how politics is also involved in the racket, Thusitha said one of those currently in remand for assaulting him is the brother of a former United National Party Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha member. Meanwhile, the individual who led the attack had contested unsuccessfully for the Kalutara PS from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) during the last local government election. He too is now in remand. Thusitha also said the attack happened on the same day that a prominent SLPP MP was appointed as the Chairman of the Kalutara District Coordination.
The damaged house and motorbike
