Photo journalists' Association condemns Aravinda's behaviour (4 August 1999)

4 August 1999

Photo journalists' Association condemns Aravinda's behaviour

The Daily News

The Photo Journalists' Association of Sri Lanka strongly condemns and expresses its disgust at the behaviour of former vice captain Aravinda de Silva on the first day of the national cricket squad's training under new coach Dav Whatmore.

De Silva used foul language that cannot be repeated by our association, to abuse one of our members, Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi, photographer of the Reuters International News Agency as he tried to take pictures of the team training with Whatmore.

De Silva has also made some rude gestures with his mobile phone and tried to attack Lokuhapuarachchi with a bottle at the SSC grounds on Monday afternoon. Fortunately, the presence of a large number of senior players and other photo journalists has prevented any physical violence against our member.

Lokuhapuarachchi was trying to capture Dav Whatmore's first full day with the national squad under the new contract he entered into with the Cricket Board. Just before the incident, Whatmore had addressed a press conference at the Cricket Board to which both local and the international media had been invited.

We note with satisfaction the commitment given by the cricket managers to instill discipline and hope that suitable action will be taken to prevent such unprovoked attacks against media personnel who are only carrying out their legitimate functions with the objective of informing their audiences.

Sri Lankan team manager Chandra Schaffter has ordered an inquiry after the Photo Journalists' Association and the Sports Media Association of Sri Lanka had accused Aravinda de Silva of trying to assault a press photographer during a practice session in Colombo.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)