Kuliyapitiya – April 26: Veteran court journalist Fazeer Mohamed, secretary of the Young Journalists Association and a reporter for the Natara Institute, was forcibly removed from the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court by police officers while reporting on a high-profile case involving allegations of police torture and robbery.
The case being heard involves several police officers accused of torturing and looting the property of a gold shop owner, allegedly under the guise of investigating a robbery at the Avendra Hotel in Negombo. Fazeer, who has been closely covering the case for the Natara Institute, was the only journalist present in the courtroom during this hearing.
According to Fazeer, he entered the court premises through regular procedure, wearing his official media identity badge, and was silently taking notes while observing the proceedings. However, a court sergeant approached him and questioned his presence. After Fazeer explained he was reporting, the officer simply replied, “Come out.”
When he continued his reporting, another police officer grabbed and dragged him out of the open courtroom, disrupting his professional duties. His mobile phone was confiscated and handed over to a guard post, with officers claiming he might be recording the proceedings. Fazeer has stated the phone was already powered off and questioned why it was allowed through the gate if it posed an issue.
The Young Journalists Association (YJA) has condemned the incident as a serious violation of press freedom and an obstruction of justice. The association, together with Fazeer, has submitted complaints to the Judicial Service Commission, the Chief Justice, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, and the Director General of Government Information.
In response, H.S.K.J. Bandara, the Director General of Government Information, has officially written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), calling for a full investigation into the journalist’s expulsion from the courtroom. He has further requested that appropriate disciplinary action be taken against any officers found guilty of misconduct.
“This is not just an attack on one journalist, but an attack on the integrity of the judicial process and the right of the public to be informed,” said a spokesperson for the Young Journalists Association.
The incident has sparked wider concern across the media community, especially as the case in question involves serious allegations of police abuse of power. As Sri Lanka grapples with mounting scrutiny over institutional accountability and freedom of expression, the outcome of this investigation could have long-term implications for media rights and law enforcement transparency in the country.
