COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A BBC reporter was attacked in Sri Lanka while she was covering clashes between rival political groups, the broadcaster reported.
Thakshila Dilrukshi Jayasena, who received minor injuries, was taken to a hospital, the report said, adding police were investigating Wednesday's incident.
The clashes in the town of Polonnaruwa involved government and opposition party supporters ahead of the Jan. 26 presidential elections.
The report said Jayasena was attacked and her recording equipment was stolen as she was leaving the scene to file her report, BBC said.
The incident comes a day after a supporter of the former army chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka died when gunmen fired on a bus carrying his supporters. Fonseka is the main opposition candidate contesting against incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Several people were injured in the Polonnaruwa violence, the report said.
"Each and every day election violence is rising and election law violations are on the increase continuously," Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon of the election monitoring group Campaign for Free and Fair Elections told the BBC.
