Sri Lanka’s biggest Chamber body, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC), on Tuesday came out strongly against the attack on the MTV/MBC at Pannipitiya by an unknown armed gang.
Saying this is the latest in a long line of threats and violence against the media, the CCC said in a statement that attacks on media institutions have taken place regularly in the recent past and it was regrettable that ‘inspite of condemnation and calls for decisive action by many business and civil society organizations, such attacks continue to take place unabated.’
It said social and economic stability cannot be maintained if a serious breakdown in law and order as in this instance is allowed. “The CCC once again emphasises the need for speedy action by the authorities to bring the perpetrators before the law and appropriately dealt with in order that such events do not re-occur,” the statement said.
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL) also joined the chorus of protests over the attack on Sirisa/MTV.
FCCISL President Kosala Wickramanayake said the attack should be condemned. “.. it is paramount importance that all steps should be taken by the authorities to ensure the freedom of expression of the people and the right to know in upholding one of the cardinal principles of democracy,” he said in a statement. |
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