Former Editor Upali Tennekoon identifies officer who assaulted him

AUG 26 2016

Senior journalist and former Editor of the 'Rivira' Upali Tennekoon identified the person who attacked him in January 2009, in a parade before Gampaha Acting Magistrate Mahesh Herath this morning. 

The suspect is a former sergeant attached to the Intelligence Unit of the Sri Lanka Army. He is the same officer held in connection with the murder of Lasantha Wickremetunga, the former Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Leader.

Tennakoon was driving to his office when four men on motorcycles stopped him, smashed in his car windows, and proceeded to beat him and his wife with metal bars. 

Wickremetunga was murdered January 2009, the same month Tennekoon was attacked, in a similar manner. 

Following the attack, Tennekoon's wife received phone threats asking that Tennekoon resign from journalism, or face death. 

Gampaha Additional Magistrate Lalith Kannangara ordered the suspect remanded until August 29.