Mass Media & Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday visited Chief Editor of Lakbimanews Rajpal Abeynayake at the Colombo National Hospital where the latter is receiving treatment after being assaulted at a lawyers’ function on Saturday night.
Abeynayake was subjected to an inhuman assault by a lawyer at the Voetlight dinner at a five star hotel in Colombo when he freely expressed his views on the duplicitous conduct of some of his lawyer colleagues.
Minister Rambukwella stressed that it is an unfortunate incident which needs to be fully investigated. He said that legal action should be taken against the assailant. He said that it is hilarious that a senior lawyer and a Chief Editor of a national newspaper had to face this unfortunate incident at the hands of a fellow lawyer.
Minister Rambukwella said that lawyers are permitted to speak freely at this particular function and heap scorn on each other without fearing any consequence.
The minister said that this attack was carried out by a lawyer from whom the ordinary masses of the country expects democratic values and norms of justice to be upheld and it is a disgrace to the entire legal profession. He emphasized the importance of bringing the culprit to book forthwith. “Everyone has a right to give vent to their free expression and that right has been ensured in the country.
“It is hilarious that Abeynayake was subjected to attack at the hands of a lawyer who himself professes the protection of human rights in the country, he said.
Hospital Director Dr. Sujatha Senarathne, member of the hospital committee Dr. Shehan Aziz were also present.
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