Sri Lanka opposition blames army for attacks on media
Updated
Sri Lanka's military chief has been accused of orchestrating violent attacks on journalists critical of the government's battle against Tamil separatists.
Opposition MP Joseph Michael Perera told parliament that a recent wave of beatings and other violence against journalists was carried out by a "special team" under the head of the army.
The claims come amid mounting international concern for press freedom in the island nation.
Last week a journalist and a senior officer of the British High Commission were beaten up and their car smashed in the capital.
Since August 2005, 12 media workers have been killed in Sri Lanka. Eleven of them died in government-controlled areas, and no one has been brought to justice in connection with the killings.
The army has denied any involvement and called on Mr Perera to hand any evidence he has to police.
