Tamil newspaper says staff attacked in Sri Lanka

(AP) Tamil newspaper says staff attacked in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka
The publisher of a Tamil newspaper says unidentified men assaulted staffers in an attack inside the paper’s office in Sri Lanka’s former war zone.

Publisher E. Saravanapavan said the masked attackers entered the Uthayan paper’s office in Kilinochchi around 4.30 a.m. Wednesday. They assaulted the manager and staff including delivery boys. Saravanapavan said three workers were hospitalized and four others had minor injuries.

He said the attackers also damaged a vehicle and two motorbikes used to distribute papers.

Saravanapavan said he believed the attack was connected to articles that criticized a former paramilitary group and government forces in the former war zone.

Government spokesmen could not be reached for comment immediately.