Journalists of the newspaper said the hoodlums coming in a Pajero jeep forcibly entered the press around 2.30 a.m. and ransacked machineries of the press and put those on fire.
On hearing the news the Fire Brigade personnel rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire after about one hour and a half.

The police immediately blocked several roads to catch the culprits who fled the printing press hurriedly by the same Pajero car.

Meanwhile, the Free Media Movement (FMM), a Colombo based media watchdog, strongly condemned the attack, saying that the Morning Leader editor has been very critical of Asia Tribune website, which according to the editor, works hand in hand with the paramilitary Pillayaan Group. The paper, which has been critical of the government, was scheduled to reveal details of horse-trading to buy off parliamentarians, this week.

"The newspaper and its editor Mr. Lasantha Wikramatunga as well as Morning Leader Editor Sonali Samarasinghe have been harassed and threatened continuously during the last two years. All Leader publications are very critical towards the government and exponents of opposition political views," the FMM said.

"FMM hold authorities responsible for not being able to protect the printing house. The culture of impunity prevails in this country has prevented any meaningful inquiry into all acts of violence against media and journalists that has taken place under this government."

The media watchdog also said that the government of Sri Lanka has failed miserably to uphold and maintain rule of law when peoples democratic and human rights are violated and urged the civil society and the political society to safeguard the free press in Sri Lanka.

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