"There is a culture of impunity, and the conduct of minister Mervyn Silva is a challenge to the government in maintaining law and order," FMM spokesman Sunanda Deshapriya said.

The attack took place in broad daylight in the presence of police, but no law enforcement officer came to the assistance of the cameraman when dozens of goons surrounded him, eye witnesses said.

"The cameraman was hospitalized with abdominal pains after they injured his testicles," head of MTV, Chevaan Daniel said.

Minister Silva and his goons had previously assaulted the news chief of a state TV station and hundreds of television workers surrounded the minister and man-handled him, in an event that was televised nation-wide.

He was led away under police protection, but later a several persons who led the protest were assaulted or slashed with razor blades.

Though the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party started an inquiry and media watchdogs called upon President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take action, no visible action has been taken and the ministers continues his war against the media with impunity.

International media watchdogs have named Sri Lanka as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, after Iraq without about a dozen journalists killed and several abducted and detained without trial.

The culture of impunity in the country, human rights abuses and 'the war against journalists' has come under fire from the European Union and United States.

An EU parliamentary delegation, last month said Sri Lanka is likely to lose trade concession from the EU which were originally given to encourage good governance, and the government can send a positive signal by taking action to end attacks on the media.

An independent media is considered essential to preserve and nurture democracy by countries where democracy is valued.