Sri Lankan Tamil newspaper office burnt down

Colombo: A publisher says armed men have stormed his newspaper press in Sri Lanka's former war zone and set fire to the machines and newspapers ready for distribution in a second attack on the paper in two weeks.

E. Saravanapavan says three men with guns entered the press of his Uthayan newspaper in northern Jaffna town threatened and chased away the workers and delivery men. Later they shot at the control board and set fire to the machines, newspapers and the newsprint.

Saravanapavan says the military or a paramilitary supporting the government could be behind the attack. Military spokesman Brig. Ruwan Wanigasooriya said the allegation is baseless, adding the army will cooperate with a police investigation.