Uthayan Daily Press Office Attack

May 2, 2006
Jaffna
Press attack / Media suppression
2
Killed

What Happened

On 2 May 2006 at approximately 7:45 PM, five armed EPDP paramilitary gunmen attacked the Uthayan newspaper office on Kasthuriyar Road in Jaffna town. The attackers, armed with four T-56 rifles and one handgun, opened fire on staff members, firing approximately 40 rounds. Two employees were killed: Marketing Manager Bastian George Sagayathas (Suresh), 37, and staff member Rajaratnam Ranjith, 25. Two other staff members were wounded and transported to Jaffna Hospital. Two editorial staffers working on the top floor escaped by hiding. The gunmen also destroyed computers in the office. One attacker was identified as an EPDP paramilitary cadre wearing black civilian clothes.

Perpetrators

Sri Lankan military and EPDP paramilitaries

Documentary Evidence

Warning: These images document the aftermath of this attack and may be disturbing.

3 images from documentary reports. Click to enlarge.

Sources & References

  • NESOHR - Lest We Forget Volume II
  • Reporters Without Borders
  • https://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?artid=17990&catid=13

Documented Victim Demographics

Based on victims with documented names and details

Documented Victims (6 names)

# Name Age Occupation
1 Bastian George Sagayathas (Suresh) 37 Marketing Manager
2 Rajaratnam Ranjith 25 Staff member
3 S. Uthayakumar Staff member
4 N. Thayakaran Staff member
5 Unnamed editorial staffer 1 Editorial staff
6 Unnamed editorial staffer 2 Editorial staff
Children (age ≤ 12)