A probe will be conducted into the alleged assault on a journalist by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne at the Hambantota Port premises, Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said yesterday.
Answering questions from journalists after a public event in Kandy, the minister said the Navy Commander being at the port in civil clothing too was questionable.
The minister noted that the outcome of the probe will reveal whether the journalist involved in the incident had obstructed the Navy from carrying its duty or vice versa.
Rajapakshe said he always respected the public’s right to information.
The Navy Commander had allegedly assaulted a journalist covering a protest by workers at the Hambantota port on Saturday.
The Commander was instructing a Navy operation to clear the protesters who had brought the affairs of the port to a standstill.
Later, the journalist had a lodged a complaint with the Police regarding the alleged assault.