Premier Wickremesinghe commenting on the incident of the Navy Commander allegedly assaulting a journalist during the protest at Hambantota Port said an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Primere also highlighted that an investigation is underway to determine if the journalist entered the high security zone illegally.

The Prime Minister said a complaint has been lodged regarding the journalist who is believed to have entered the area without approval.

A group of employees of the Hambantota Port were engaged in a protest demanding the government ensure them job security as the government prepares to lease the Port on shared basis to a Chinese firm.

The employees were charged of forcibly holding two ships that arrived at the Magampura Port while steps were taken by the Navy to release the ships on the advice of the government.

Subsequently a tense situation broke out between the employees and the naval officers.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the Navy Commander has also been issued directives to establish a Navy Base within the premises of the Port adding this must be done to ensure that operations run smoothly especially when the Chinese company takes over as it was important to ensure security.