Two prominent media associations of South Asia expressed shock at the kidnapping and beating of a prominent Sri Lankan journalist and asked Colombo to resolve issues relating to freedom of media.

Condeming the incident, the South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) and South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) said it was a "blatant violation of freedom of expression and independence" of media.

Poddala Jayantha, the General Secretary of Sri Lanka Working Journalists' Association and a member of Free Media Movement, received injuries on his head, chest and leg while he was returning from work.

Six unidentified men dragged Poddala into their vehicle and after beating him up, threw him out, near a hospital. They also cut his beard and hair. "This is adding insult to injury."

"After an official end of war against LTTE, the government must focus on solving the long awaited issues relating to freedom of media," Imtiaz Alam of SAFMA and Najam Sethi of SAMC said in a joint statement.

This is the second major attack on journalists since January this year. On January eight, Lasantha Wickrematunga, a leading journalist, was killed.

Media organisations have called upon the Sri Lankan government to make an impartial inquiry into the attack. They said lack of prosecution has enabled an environment which supports attacks and killings.