ST photo journalist’s camera snatched, film exposed

Sri Lanka Army and Thalangama Police are carrying out two separate investigations on last Wednesday’s road accident at Koswatte where a container carrying military equipment toppled on its side. An indirect media censorship was clamped on journalists who arrived to report the incident. The Thalangama Police who are investigating the incident said the container carrying a heavy load had taken a bend at high speed resulting in the vehicle toppling. Army personnel providing security at the scene prevented photo journalists from taking photographs of the toppled container which was en route to the Panagoda Army camp. Journalists were not even allowed to use their mobile phones.

The Sunday Times photo journalist Berty Mendis who was detailed to cover the accident was obstructed by the security forces who allegedly confiscated his camera and exposed the film destroying all the photographs. The Sunday Times informed military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara about the incident and will be making an official complaint to the Sri Lanka Army. Brigadier Nanayakkara told The Sunday Times that journalists were requested to desist from taking photographs of the container that had toppled. When asked why there was a censorship in even covering road accidents Brigadier Nanayakkara said, “It is something to do with the military. That is why we didn’t want photographs taken of the scene.”