Sri Lanka state tv news chief replaced

The news chief of Sri Lanka's state television station, who was assaulted by a government minister who stormed the newsroom in the company of thugs last month, has been replaced. "There have been repeated threats and after the incident it was difficult for me to carry out my duties," former new director of state-run Rupavahini, T M G Chandrasekara said.
"I asked the management to transfer me to another division and I heard that they had done so," he said.
One of Chandrasekara's colleagues, Lal Mawalage, was knifed by two assailants who waylaid him on his way home after work, two days ago.
Mawalage spoke up in support of his colleagues when labour minister Mervyn Silva was held hostage by television workers inside a room at the television station after the attack on its news director.
Television workers involved in the incident had also been targeted by Sri Lanka's secret police, media rights organizations complained.
Sri Lanka's government has so far not taken disciplinary action against the errant minister, who was doused in pink paint while being escorted out of the TV station by police.
Officials of a private television which gave wide coverage to the incident had also received death threats, a media rights bodies said.