Attacks and Damages to Uthayan
S.No. Date Incidents Reason for Attacks and
Actions Taken and Informed
to Administers of Uthayan by
Law and Order Implementers.
01. 21.12.2013 On 21st. December 2013 our Vanni area reporter Mr.N.Kirishnakumar was
attacked by a three man gang at about 06.00 pm that lay at his home. One
person had been captured by the neighbors and handed over to the police.
Up to now about 38 incidents had taken place against Uthayan, few
Uthayan staff also had lost their life. Not a single case was brought to the
02 28.10. 2013 Uthayan’ Photo Journalist Chandrakumar Tharsan who was assigned to cover the
assembling of members of Parliament, Members of Northern Provincial Council and
Members of Pradesha Sabas at Kadduvan, took pictures of the event, was threatened
Our photographer’s camera was forcibly detached by the particular officer and the
In addition to that, he was reprimanded and intimidated that the pictures appears in
To prohibited the news of
houses destroying spread out.
Complaint Made on entry
no.HRC/JA/214/2013
03 21.09. 2013. A fake issue of Uthayan news paper designed and printed to look like the
genuine Uthayan and distributed to news paper agents in the Jaffna town in the
From prevent the voters poll
in election to TNA.
04. 10.07.2013 Our office reporter Mr. G. Dileepamuthan, who was on his way
05. 13.04.2013 Attack by armed hooligans who intruded in the early morning into the main
06. 03.04.2013 Early morning at about 4.50 a.m. ‘Uthayan’ branch office at Kilinochchi was attacked by a
back to his home attacked by unknown persons ,who came by
Auto three wheeler at 18.40 pm. He was admitted to hospital with injuries.
printing section at 04.30 A.M., and damaged the main web machine.
seven hooligans, who had come there wearing masks, to their faces. Branchmanager
In the previous weekend
Uthayan news paper an article
appeared against EPDP.
Action Nil
With the idea of spread the true
news in to Vanni. Action Nil
Arumugam Ponraj (66 years) was attacked brutally with injured. Delivery workers namely
Kiddinan Praddepan (28 years) Kupusamy Visvanathan (38 years) and V.Sugirtahan (29
years) were attacked the others attacked and injured in the incidents. Property including
computers and office electronic equipments belonging to the branch office estimated to
07. 20.03.2013 Mr. G.Deleepamuthan, our staff reporter, had been threaten bodily harm and
warned by a senior officer – Brigade Commander 512 – Brigadier Ajith Pannawella, who
08 15.02.2013. The “Uthayan on Line” journalist’s camera has been plunged and damaged by an Army
Officer at the ‘Satyagraha’ held by the people of Valigamam North at Tellippallai in front of
The Intelligence person to hide
them that they back the
protest by public against UN.
Complaint Made on
21st.March.2013
To hide from identifying the
Army intelligence.
09. 07.02.2013. Two unidentified men have chased the “Uthayan” delivery employee at Kopay junction,
who has taken news papers to Valvettiturai for delivery. But he escaped without being
Intend to reduce the Uthayan
circulation.
10. 15.01.2013. At a protest rally organized by Equal Rights, Movement, in front of Jaffna bus stand, to give
Intend to threat the journalists.
pressure to release the Jaffna University Students, the crude oil was thrown on media
reporters, who were there to cover news assignments. “Uthayan” reporters Mr. K.Nirojan
11. 27.11.2012 The media reporters who have gone to University premises to collect news were attacked
The main purpose is to put the
public in dark.
12. 26.11.2012 At Jaffna University Hostel some students tried to lit lamp to remember their kith and kin
that were killed in war. In that vicinity army entered and made some harassment. Uthayan
editor Mr. T.Premananth, came to know the incident and visit there to record this, was
attacked by army ranking officer and tried to damage the camera. Our editor injured and
admitted to hospital. Police entry also made. But any action were not taken yet.
13. 29.07.2011 Uthayn News Editor Mr. Gnasundaram Kuganathan was assaulted and was seriously injured,
when he was returning home after the day’s duty at about 7.30 P.M., by two un identified
Due to the loss in local
government election took place
armed men. This occurred in close proximity to an Army Camp on the Navalar Road
on 23.07.2011.
14. 05.07.2011 Death threat to Mr. E.Saravanabavan, Member of Parliament. At about 9.25 P.M., a threat
call was received by the Member of Parliament. The caller warned that the Member of
Parliament should leave the country and if he stayed in the country, he should stop
criticizing the Government and the Ministers, if not he will be murdered. He should leave
15. 16.06.2011 Uthayn Photographer Mr. Ratnum was attacked and he sustained severe injuries in his
hand at the T.N.A. Local Government Propaganda Meeting held at Alvaddy Mahajana
As he took photos of army
intruders in civil at the meeting
16. 28.05.2011 Uthayan Reporter Mr.S.Kavitharan, was assaulted at about 6.30 A.M. on his way to Office
by four unidentified persons. This occurred in close proximity to the Jaffna Hindu College
17. 29.04.2011 Mr. Puvanenthira Mayurathan, a Reporter of Uthayan was manhandled and beaten up at
the Jaffna University Premises by the students and Security personnel when he had gone
18. 16.03.2011 A Police Constable named Ratnadasa Prdeepan alias Setti of Atchuvely South entered
Uthayan Premises and threatened the employees saying that he would set fire to the
19. 04.02.2010 Uthayan, Chudar Oli Editor Mr. N.Vithyatharan was threatened by Kishore SivanathanM.P.
20. 29.06.2009 A Pamphlet was issued under the nick name of a Joint body called “Joint Tamil Body to
Save the Country” stating that Uthayan would not be permitted to function, and the
employees, Agents and correspondents would have to face death sentence, if Uthayan
21. 25.06.2009 All three news papers that were taken for delivery was snatched by two masked persons
01.07.2009
His Excellency the President on
hearing same, immediately
issued a statement that Uthayan
should not be harassed. Remedial
measures were taken in this
regard.
Election violence. Before the
Jaffna Municipal Council Election
with small arms like swords and thrown to the middle of the road, poured petrol and
burnt. This incident took place in close proximity to the town- in between Navlar Road and
Anaipanthy junction. The hooligans ordered the Uthayan Delivery personnel to set fire to
the News Papers. At the same time, Uthayan News papers were snatched from a private
person who purchased same at the gate and does house delivery, were thrown on the road
22. 24.03.2009 At 11.10 p.m. an unidentified crowd had hurled a grenade to the apartment of the Chief
Editor within Uthayan premises. He narrowly escaped the attack without any injuries, but
unfortunately the Police Guard who was on duty was badly injured and was immediately
23. 26.02.2009 Editor Uthayn/ Sudar Oli was kidnapped/ arrested while he was at a funeral house by an
Released
armed identified white van gang and was detained in Police custody and was released after
24. 02.02.2009 M/s, Wilson and Charles of the E.P.D.P. came to office in the morning and asked for the
Editor. G.M. said that the Editor was not available and then they went away. Again in the
evening at about 7.30 p.m., came and requested the Security Guard that they wanted to
meet the Editor. They were told that he was not available in his seat. Then they wanted to
speak to any other person from the Editorial and were told no one is available and M.D.
was contacted, and M.D. spoke to them. When leaving the security point, they said that
they would have to pay for all these as they have not highlighted about the demonstration
25. 06.01.2008 An anonymous telephone caller from Kayts (Fortress of the Para Military Group” ordered in
rough voice’ that publication of the Uthayan be stopped immediately (i.e.07th January). An
Official complaint was made at the Jaffna Police about this threat by the Chief Editor.
In addition to direct inhuman acts leading to stop the publication there are and were
indirect pressures from the Security Forces to throttle the neck of the press.
26. 17.11.2007 One of Journalist cum Editorial Assistant Mr.V.Nimalrajah was kidnapped near an Army
Check point at Navalar road, very close to our office. He is now in the list of missing
27. 14.10.2007 Commanding Officer of Major General Chandrasiri met the Press. He said still the news
papers in Jaffna are publishing news stories tarnishing the image of Security Forces and
About six months back also there was a discussion about this. There must be a balance in
Now Major General Chandrasri
had been appointed as the
Governor of Northern Province.
publishing news. By publishing news about tarnishing, the actions and activities of security
Forces you are not only hurting me but also the 30 thousand Army Men who are under me.
He indicated that Media unit is maintaining separate, files for each Newspaper particularly
28. 21.06.2007 Un identified gun men got down from the a ‘White Van’ and tried to intrude into the
apartment of our Editor Mr.N. Vithyatharan and inquired from the Security personnel and
tried to go inside pretending that they have come to meet him personally. But the Security
Personnel wisely replied’ he is not inside and gone out’. Immediately, it was informed to
Government Instituted highly Powered monitoring Committee consisting of Government
29. 29.04.2007 Mr.S.Rajvaraman one of our Staff Reporters was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while
30. 23.09.2006: At about 04.00 P.M., Curfew time, Major general G.A.Chandrasiri, the Commanding Officer
of the Security Forces in Jaffna, sent his men from Palaly Head Quarters to bring Uthayan
Editor. As the Editor was not available a Senior Journalist represented him.
He told the journalist that news about Security Forces should not be published in Uthayan
to tarnish them. If that is not adopted, the Newspaper Office will be sealed and publication
He further added that a committee appointed by him will visit the Newspaper office, at
nights for seven days (from 24.07.2006) for monitoring the news to be published. The
The Commander continued; Journalist not to divulge details of his conversation. They
should not go to the web, specially the “Tamil Net”. He said it is merely my advice to you
and nothing else.In fact, the S.F. Commander threatened Uthayan Journalist to toe the
Now Major General Chandrasri
had been appointed as the
Governer of Northern Province.
31. 10.09.2006 Several gunmen entered the Uthayan premises (during curfew hours) jumping over the
This was officially reported to
high ranking Police Officers
wall and walked up straight to our Editorial floor. The alert Security Guard informed the
Police (They are being posted by the Government after May 2nd massacre at our office.)
The police immediately rushed and apprehended the intruders in civil and subsequently
33. 15.08.2006 While our driver was distributing our News Paper to the Agents he was shot dead
34. 02.05.2006 Marketing Manger and another employee shot within the office, 02 maimed and several
others injured. Also damaged the Electronic and Electrical items by shooting, Machineries
A cartoon appeared at Uthayan
on 01.05.2006, the previous day
to the incident about EPDP
leader.
35. 23.08.2005 Hand grenade was thrown at the Colombo Uthayan advertisement office which was
situated at Wellawatta, and fortunately nothing happened to the staff. The owner of the
building informed that he would be murdered if the building was given to NUP
36. 23.06.2001 An attempt was made to murder the Chief Editor while coming for work by knocking him
37. 27.09.1990 Sri Lanka Air Force bombed our Nallur office- 01 killed on the spot and 01 maimed. O1
Neither inquiry made nor
compensation paid