The murder of Lasantha Wickremetunge and Sri Lanka’s future
Repost This ArticleWatch reactions to Lasantha’s murder in Sinhala here.
The Editor in Chief of the Sunday Leader and one of Sri Lanka’s best known journalists Lasantha Wickremetunge was murdered this morning en route to work. He was shot repeatedly and succumbed to his injuries at around 2.15pm. The murder of Lasantha comes just two days after after the arson attack against private TV broadcaster MBC / MTV networks that destroyed their Main Control Room and studios.
On both counts, the Rajapakse administration points to some mysterious armed force hell bent on discrediting the government. It has done what it does best – expressed outrage, ordered a full investigation and appointed a committee to investigate the attacks.
Yet it conveniently forgets that the Cabinet subcommittee to look into the grievances of journalists set up in June 2008 is largely forgotten today. No one knows whether it exists, how to reach it, what it does, or came up with as recommendations to protect journalists. Journalist J.S. Tissanaiyagam still languishes in jail on the most ludicrous charges under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The government is silent on his plight and case, despite widespread local and international condemnation and calls for his release.
Coincidentally, Dayan Jayatilleke in conversation with me yesterday said that there is a right way and a wrong way to use violence. Clearly, there is some confusion in Sri Lanka about Dayan’s thesis and not just by the LTTE. If there are mysterious armed groups on the loose wantonly murdering journalists and vandalising private and independent media establishments, one must ask what the Government has done to protect the freedom of expression and media freedom from such violence.
In the context of a racist and brutish Lt. General Sarath Fonseka who is of the opinion that Sri Lanka ‘belongs’ to the Sinhalese (read Lt. General Sarath Fonseka: military dictator, saviour or both?) a President with his two brothers who basically run Sri Lanka with little regard for criticism against their policies, practices, statements and beliefs and the recent capture of Killinochchi which seems to be a trigger for violence against critical voices, we may as well write the obituary for media freedom and the freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.
As the Centre for Policy Alternatives noted in a Press Release today,
Tellingly, Sri Lanka has been repeatedly identified as one of the world’s most dangerous countries for independent journalists. This latest attack of one of Sri Lanka’s best known and most senior journalists confirms fears of a planned terror campaign against critical voices, conducted with complete impunity.
The legitimacy of the war against terror rests on government respecting the norms and values of democracy and human rights, of which the tolerance of criticism is a fundamental facet. Those responsible for this egregious violence are enemies of democracy and become terrorists themselves.
When those fighting terrorism mirror the enemy, the future of Sri Lanka looks increasingly bleak irrespective of how much of territory we gain from the LTTE. How many more journalists need to be murdered and independent media institutions attacked for us to realise this?
And we call ourselvs Buddhists….
Lasantha’s cold blooded murder is another face of state Terrorism. Condemened by Singhalese, Tamils, Muslims and other communities. International community will make statements but that will not prevent further murders of journalists. During Sadam’s rule in Iraq he, his children and brothers disposed all those who criticized his dictatorial rule. In Sri Lanka we see a photo copy of Sadam’s dictatorial rule. Only difference is instead of children the brothers are giving the works using paid coolies. Whatever MR says the karma he has accumulated will boomerang back on him. It is only the time factor! No one will shed tears for him.
A very very sad day! This has gone on long enough. State media should decide to stand up and report the TRUTH. Rupavahini, ITN and Daily News have NO journalists. [Edited out]
God Bless You, Dear Lasantha,,,
I read Sunday Leader from afar. I see this paper as one that strives to help people see clearly through a culture of chaos created by the powerful of the country. The powerful now even condem the killing of Lasantha. Don't they see that it is the culture of chaos they created that killed A brilliant voice hope?
We will miss you Lasantha. You will not be forgotten.
Sri Lanka has lost a fearless journalist this I guess is part of Mahinda Chinthanaya. MR and his brothers should be made accountable for this murder. Under his regime so many journalists and aid workers have been masacred, they should be tried in the international court of justice Haig for the crimes commited againt the humanity. Time the IC opens their eyes and take actions against these murderers.
WORLD REMAINED SPEACHLES FOR A MOMENT HEARING THE NEWS OF THE BRUTAL KILLING OF LASANTHA WICKREMASINGHE BY RAJAPAKSE JUNTA.
Lasantha was Honest, Forthright, Talented Fearless and could not be bought! He paid the price as a result. He was an old Benedictine. He brought the truth to the Sri Lanka and to the dispora of the world.
THE COWERDLY ACT OF THE RAJAPAKSE & SARATH FONSEKA.
WILL COME TO LIGHT ONE DAY.
RAJAPAKSE'S SHOUTED AT THE LTTE OF KILLING RAJIV AND NOW THEY KILLED A GREAT SON OF THE SOIL.
My Sympathy and Deepest Condolences to his wife Sonali and the 3 children. We have lost a good man, and we are left with only the memories.
What does it take for a nation to react? And we call ourselves a civilised democracy? The Fourth Estate, where are you? We seem to be a nation swathed in apathy. What's wrong with us? We cannot go back to the 1988/89 era when brutality ruled the country. Let's do something, at least for Lasantha, who stood up for what's right. Isn't it time then that we uphold what he always worked for?
Murder in any form, is wrong – sorry Dayan – I don't agree with your theory. Any life lost, is a life lost in vain and murder cannot EVER be justified in any form!
I agree with you completely Savithri. But what is there to do? We need a plan. But who is there to provide leadership? The opposition is a joke. The religious community is a souless ghost. Popular support against such action is muted. Any ideas?
We may not be able to do much – but do remember Chandra Jayaratne's very successful holding hands campaigns and subsequently lighting of a lamp outside homes – I don't think shouting slogans is going to do the trick becasue that also gives some people licenses to use violence all over again. But a peaceful demonstration of some sort or a deomonstration of solidarity would be a start. We need a leader however – maybe not one, but a group even who can take the initiative forward. I'm willing to give my resources, whatever they may be. Is there anyone who will join me?
this senseless killing in the name of 'peace' must stop – whether it's Lasantha who was considered a thorn in the side of many (many ruling governments prior to this too sit up and take note) , imprisoning journalists who are doing their job under a dubious PTA , abudction of people on the wrong side of the fence, conveniently getting rid of anyone who is considered an opposition or whether it's the faceless nameless people in the war torn areas of Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka is fast losing her good people – and I dread to think what we'll be left with!
Here we go again- the wonderful Buddhist Nation of "dharmadveepa" killing all its intellectuals, destroying its talent and crushing any free thinkers, all thats left will be scum and idiots and innocent people who cannot escape. You Tamil brothers and sisters who get the chance to go out of here can consider yourselves lucky- we SInhala have to continue living in this cess pit and bearing it.
Twenty years on, the unacceptable assault on Sri Lanka's indepedent media continues. These are the acts of cowards, who kill brave men and slink back into the shadows. Lasantha lives on in the work of the Sri Lankan media that fights on to defend press freedom and democracy.
We are going through a darkened passage with a culture of intolerance, and impunity. Good Governance has flown out of the window and have replaced with a set of imbecile stooges of "Yes" men who are plundering public money. Written in the wall is if any one stand on their way will have a disastrous end like Gen. Janka Perera, Dr John Pulle, MTV station. Similarly Lasantha made a supreme sacrifice with life for publicly exposing the heinous crimes done by these vermins. Many more to come.
These talk about right way and wrong way of violence by DJ is bull shit. Gunshots, Bullets and arsons doesn't have a right way and wrong way.
Best thing for him is to not talk about these issues and avoid distracting public attention from core issues, but talk about Fidel Castro only and safeguard his ambassadorial status and position.
There is a bottomless pit of greed where this has come from. The murderous brothers hunt anyone who come against their regime. I call this a regime because a good friend of mine, a firm slfp supporter calls the faker a my king. thats how uneducated and blinded by their glorification of war most people have become. its really a sad sad situation. And specially most of the young friends who could voice dissent have gone abraod due to educational and financial problems they face here.
We must stop them. make every body who will listen, listen to the truth. Tell them there is no more evil than war and destruction. That its all to benefit the few wealthy and the businessmen(mostly politicians) and international entities who arm the forces. Plz we must stop them
There they go again "the great Weerawansa" now washing Govt. dirty laundry talking about a "kumanthranaya" AGAINST the poor innocent Govt. Pray tell me sir, when there are so many check points where even we office workers cannot pass by foot without being checked, how, so many armed men with weapons and bombs could go thru with impunity ?
Do you mean to say that now even the LTTE could get into a white van loaded with masked men sporting high calibre weapons roam the high security zone without being checked, and 4 motor cycles (2 on each ) follow a car so far in broad light and fire at the driver at close range without being checked by the security forces? Come on Mister, you think people are stupid or something? Better keep your big mouth shut instead of sprouting garbage. We are wise to your idiotic utterances now.
[Edited out]
Pray tell me sir, when there are so many check points where even we office workers cannot pass by foot without being checked, how, so many armed men with weapons and bombs could go thru with impunity ?
Do you mean to say that now even the LTTE could get into a white van loaded with masked men sporting high calibre weapons roam the high security zone without being checked, and 4 motor cycles (2 on each ) follow a car so far in broad light and fire at the driver at close range without being checked by the security forces?
Come on Mister, you think people are stupid?
[Edited out]
This is a very bold statement and I fear to make it. We, the people of Sri Lanka, by our apathy and self interest are the murders of Lasantha. By our consistent refusal to sacrifice our individual well-being in order to preserve good and truth we are the cause for the death of martyrs from Rajani Thiranagama to Lasantha Wickremetunge. We, the people, are enshrined with the task of keeping a governments accountable for their actions. We are a democracy where the people have failed. Yet, not merely bow our heads in respect for a fallen fighter but let us arise and reclaim our role-the guardians of democracy, our country and our people.
People worldwide are protesting the war in Gaza, South Indian actors protested the "humanitarian war" in Sri Lanka and we (bless our souls) sit at home, watching and talking and theorizing. Looks like nothing has changed and nohing will change. Good going Sri Lanka!!!
It is now time for us to ask why we are in this situation of crime, war, fear, threat, hate? In groups of twos, threes, fours…. we must ask why, why and why deeper and deeper into our souls and our friends' souls to find the answers that may have been in front of us but failed to see. We do not have a leader or leaders to pave the way for a better material or spiritual future. We have to collectively understand why we are in this situation. In this search Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims and Burgers may find the same causes has brought us to this situation. Starting in small groups, collectively coming to an understanding may lead us towards change for better. Our leaders' souls are already hardned. Our souls are being hardned too!. We would not have the heart to be compassionate to each other even after the war against the LTTE is over. Therefore our simple step and a salutory step to those fallen inquirers like Lasantha is to ask why and making the search a collective one! Then we may be ready for creating a better future! lets start democracy!
Lasantha was my classmate at St Benedicts since we were 6 years oldand we both lived in a predominantly Tamil Colombo suburb of Kotahena. Being a tamil i had great admiration for his ability to bridge the ethnic divide and his background enabled him to do so.He was a great human being.This cess pit of a country does not deserve such men and I wish Lsantha had stayed back in the UK. .Anyhow we are destined to be ruled by a bunch of murderers for a long time to come and my Sinhala bretheren have to learn it the hard way.One consolation is that such rulers always end up in the dust bins of history and one day soon these tyrants will come for you as well!!
I fully agree with BananaTree. It's not (just) those robotic/demonic gunmen – who were braibwashed, programmed and sent to pull the trigger – that killed Lasantha. It is ALL of us.
We who elected this racist regime, we who cheer every time they kill and 'liberate' in our name, we who vote this ruling party over and over again in various elections…We are the ones who created and now keep feeding this monster as our saviour and guardian.
Killing Richard de Zoysa was the turning point for the brutal Premadasa regime. Would this senseless death of Lasantha finally, finally turns the tide against this regime, now clearly more brutal than Premadasa's? We have to wait and see. As Savithri Rodrigo says above, what does it take for a nation to act?
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." – Edmund Burke
Sri Lanka is a feudal system on which the British gently laid a well embroidered sleeky, silky veil of democracy. Since 1956 the silk started to tear. With each decade it tore more not being able to cope with the ever increasing grating of the drying cogs and wheels of the feudal clockwork. We no longer have the veil. We would not let experts from outside oil, maintain, adjust, fix it and put a new veil. Because, we are proud of the integrity of our casing -Made in Britain- and valued the sovereign gold of our jewels. We could not adjust, maintain, repair or improve our feudalism as we are part of the mechanism. This is our problem. We have become an antique. We have become the in vitro experiment of conflict resolutionist!
Suranimala
We are thinking of you and your Lasantha.
Lasanthaaaaaaa……….
Shouldn't this be a turning point after 60 yrs????
Vishaka
Your comment about Tamils is hurting and untimely when the country is seething with anger and writhing in unspeakable pain.
Who says that true Buddhism is practised by the majority in Sri Lanka? We have been a nation of rituals and not followed the true essence of this great way of life. True Buddhism is all about reflection and watching your actions to ensure that one does not harm anyone even by thought. So let us not call ourselves a Buddhist nation. What happened to Lasantha is a great tragedy and an independent investigator should be appointed by the Govt to locate the culprit or culprits. If the Govt does not do this, all fingers will point at the rulers. This kind of thuggery must end. There has to be an end to this culture in Sri Lanka
This is the Sri Lankan way — anyone who is good at anything — honest and sincere and stands up for the truth is a thorn in the eye of those who thrive on manipulation and throat cutting. Lasantha was a high profile figure. But take even small scale activities among Sri Lankans, it is not about race or religion but traits. People are greedy for getting visible and power hungry no matter what whether it is professions, government, politics, or even simply among fellow Sri Lankans — never let a good person thrive. Only the phoney insincere, get ahead. This is our culture today. We are reduced to less than human values. Animals treat each other better.
Wish we could get into the minds of those who did this unspeakably brutal crime. What do they gain by it? If it is the Government — this is a stupid thing to do after we laid down so many lives to fight terrorism at a time when we were looking forward to be free of terror. If it is the opposition they are even more stupid. If there is a terror group trained to kill with impunity, who is their sponsor? We need a lot of answers.
Someone please speak up. We look like barbarians. With all the religious influence, temples in every street corner, Christians going to church, Hindus praying, Muslims praying 5 times a day invoking the semblance of God in what ever shape or form, God has looked the other way. We are beyond redemption unless people learn to live by principles. We must be a ritualistic population — religion is for a life to be lived by principles. Where is the correlation? Our people have the meanest minds, and the most cruel actions. Killing has become a way of life for any reason. What happened to the value of life?
Sorry, I didn't mean Suranimala. I meant Sonali.
Anjalika and others
There are virtual humanists among Sri Lankan Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Muslims. It's high time a Sri Lankan Humanist Association sprang up in the country.