The 17th anniversary of the assassination of veteran journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was commemorated at the Borella Cemetery in Colombo today. 

Loved ones, friends, and fellow media professionals honoured the memory by placing flowers and lighting candles in tribute.

Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge was a high-profile Sri Lankan journalist, politician, broadcaster, and human rights activist who was assassinated in January 2009. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General has informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court to suspend the previous order given concerning the release of the three suspects involved in the murder of the late Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

It is reported that the Attorney General has informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court in writing that his previous order to discharge the suspects has been temporarily suspended.

On January 27, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that legal proceedings would not continue against three key suspects in the case.

According to the letter, former Army Intelligence Officer Prem Ananda Udalagama, former Mt. Lavinia Crimes OIC SI Tissasiri Sugathapala, and former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara could be released.

Responding to criticisms of the Attorney General’s recommendation, the government said it would look into the matter and study the recommendation.

Soon after, PM Harini Amarasuriya also assured Parliament that the government is committed to securing justice for the family of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Her comments came after a letter from Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the late editor Lasantha Wickrematunga, urging the Prime Minister to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe. (Newswire)

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Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya assured Parliament today that the government is committed to securing justice for the family of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga.

Her comments come after a letter from Ahimsa Wickrematunga, daughter of the late editor, urging the Prime Minister to impeach Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe.

In her letter, Ahimsa accused the Attorney General of abusing power and neglecting duty by recommending the discharge of three suspects in her father’s murder case.

“I plan to respond to the letter personally,” Amarasuriya said. “Our government’s position on this case is very clear. We intend to seek justice for the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga,” the Premier said noting that it has always been the position of her party.

She acknowledged Ahimsa’s concerns assuring that justice will be delivered. “I well understand Ahimsa’s concerns and the agony she must be feeling right now. But I will assure her that we will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is delivered on this matter.”

Amarasuriya added that while the government respects the independence of the Attorney General’s office, it is also exploring the possibility of filing fresh indictments in the case. She noted that extensive discussions had taken place, including a meeting between the President and those involved, to determine the next steps.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, MP Rauff Hakeem called for a parliamentary debate on the Attorney General’s Department, criticizing its handling of the case.

“The Attorney General’s response is based on a weak argument regarding an error in the identification parade,” Hakeem said. “Your government pledged in its manifesto to establish an independent prosecutor’s office instead of allowing the Attorney General to directly handle such cases. We believe prosecutorial discretion is being used selectively to free certain individuals.”

Amarasuriya said the government is prepared to allocate a full day for a debate on the issue. (Newswire)

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By Eran Wickramaratne

Sixteen years ago on 8th January 2009, I received a phone call that Lasantha was attacked and taken to the Kalubowila Hospital. I was not a politician then but a Banker and a friend of Lasantha. Each year on 8th January, I visit Lasantha’s grave to remind myself and commit to the pursuit of justice. The tension that filled the air on the day of his funeral still surrounds some of us as there has been no justice or closure for his family and friends.

It was widely believed and later supported by evidence that his exposure of the corruption in the purchase of military aircraft was connected to his murder. Lasantha was due to give evidence in court on 12th January in defence of his exposure on the MIG transaction undertaken by the Ministry of Defence, which may have exposed those in authority, But prior to his appearance in court, Lasantha was murdered on 8th January 2009.

Now we have a government comprising of individuals when in opposition, always argued for media freedom and the safety of media personnel. We live in the expectation that investigations and the judicial process will move quickly in bringing justice and closure to his murder.

January 8th reminds us that 34 journalists and media personnel have been murdered or gone missing in recent times. The vast majority of them were Tamil-speaking. Many journalists were murdered or intimidated during the 26-year civil war between the Government and Tamil Tiger rebels.

50-year-old cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda who went missing on 24th January 2010 two days before incumbent President Mahinda Rajapakse’s Election has yet to be found.

Sandya Eknaligoda, Prageeth’s wife is still relentlessly pursuing Justice. Keith Noyahr, the Associate Editor of the Nation, was abducted and severely beaten before being released in 2008. Krishantha Cooray, Keith Noyahr’s boss, pursued justice and spoke out troubling those in Authority. Krishantha was forced to leave the country as authorities attempted to frame charges against him in another case.There are many who have been forced to flee the country because of exposures of corruption, poor governance and murder.

Sri Lanka’s performance on media freedom as indicated in the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders has deteriorated further within the past 5 years.

The Online Safety Bill which was improperly forced through Parliament has been used by Government authorities to intimidate Journalist and social media activists.

While we agree that there has to be media ethics, we need to establish a self-regulatory process rather than the Government assuming that role. Let’s live in hope that the newly elected government whose members when in opposition were critical of attacks on media personnel and the Online Safety Bill, will protect the freedom of expression, media and social media activists and bring to justice those who have committed crimes while promoting a democratic open society where every individual could live with dignity. (Newswire)

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The family of assassinated Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge has expressed hope that the Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led government will find the truth behind the incident and provide justice.

Speaking to the media, Lasantha Wickrematunge’s brother said there were four governments within the 16 years since the death, but none had a political motive to investigate the incident.

He said, however, the National People’s Power (NPP) government has promised to investigate not only Lasantha Wickrematunge’s death but several other high-profile cases as well.

“Initially, the case was under the TID, with major speculation that it was done by the LTTE. However, following the change in regime in 2015, our lawyer requested the case to be transferred to the CID. It was then transferred to the CID, of which Shani Abeysekera was a part. 

“The probe conducted by the CID uncovered several key facts related to the death, even up to the extent of knowing the names and addresses of those who had been involved in the murder,” he said.

Lasantha Wickrematunge’s brother said under this government, with Shani Abeysekera returning to the CID, there need not be a fresh probe and it only remains for them to finish the investigations into the incident. 

He added that the family and close associates of Lasantha Wickrematunge believe this government will find the truth.

His comments come on the 16th death anniversary of the late Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, commemorated today (Jan 08). (Newswire)

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Amnesty International has called on the government of Sri Lanka to end impunity for late journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s killing.

Taking to ‘X’, the international human rights group, urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure those responsible for his assassination are held to account.

“Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated on this day 15 years ago. Despite the Sri Lankan government’s assurances to resolve the case domestically, the investigation has stalled. Justice has eluded his family to date, who have been continuing their fight for accountability for Lasantha’s killing,” the group further said.

Amnesty International’s appeal comes on the 15th death anniversary of the late Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, commemorated today (Jan 08). (NewsWire)

Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated on this day 15 years ago.
Despite the Sri Lankan government's assurances to resolve the case domestically, investigation has stalled. Justice has eluded his family to date, who have been continuing their fight for accountability for… pic.twitter.com/AoY28b0b2T

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) January 8, 2024

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The biography of the late Lasantha Wickrematunge has been launched by Raine Wickrematunge, his ex-wife and mother of his three children. Unbowed & Unafraid will be available in Sri Lanka across bookstores this month.

“Lasantha lived, breathed and finally died in the pursuit of the truth. I am indeed proud and honoured to present this book to the people of Sri Lanka who Lasantha cared about deeply,” Raine has said.

After Lasantha Wickrematunge was murdered on a Colombo street in January 2009, his posthumous editorial published in The Sunday Leader titled ‘And Then They Came For Me’ resonated not just with Sri Lankans but with the world at large. 

He wrote from beyond the grave, “I hope my murder will not be seen as a defeat of freedom, but an inspiration for those who survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will help galvanise forces that will usher in a new era of human liberty in our beloved motherland.” 

Unbowed & Unafraid recounts the life of a trailblazer and offers an inside look at Wickrematunge’s life and work. It is a personal, inspirational account of the life of Wickrematunge who won the collective hearts of a nation due to his courage and dedication to the betterment of Sri Lanka. 

The book also describes the author’s marriage and family life with Wickrematunge, his remarkable achievements and conflicts as a journalist, his tragic assassination and the murder inquiry thereafter. 

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