Lasantha Wickrematunge: Difference between revisions
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'''Lasantha |
'''Lasantha Wickrematunge''' (April 5, 1958 – January 8, 2009) was a leading [[Sri Lanka]]n journalist and former editor-in-chief of the [[The Sunday Leader]]. Throughout his career, Wickrematunge built up a reputation for taking on the the country's politicians, becoming one of the most influencial journalists in the country. He had published many articles exposing alleged corruption and scandals within various past governments in Sri Lanka. |
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Wickrematunge was assassinated on 8 January, 2009, while driving to work in [[Dehiwela]], just outside [[Colombo]].<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news |first=Oliver |last=Luft |coauthors= |title=Sri Lankan newspaper editor shot dead |work=The Guardian |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/08/sri-lankan-editor-killed }}]</ref><ref name="bbc details">{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Top Sri Lankan editor shot dead |work=BBC News |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7817422.stm }}</ref> His killing has been widely condemned, with the [[Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)|Daily Mirror]] calling it the "biggest blow" to media freedom in the country and the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka saying they hold the government responsible for the killing as it has failed to stop attacks against media personnel. The government has also expressed its shock at the killing, and pledged to do everything in its power to catch his killers.<ref name="mirror">{{cite news |first=Dinidu |last=de Alwis |coauthors=Weerasuriya, Ananda |title=Lasantha shot dead |work=Daily Mirror |page= |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=37349 }}</ref> He was the latest in a series of murders of journalists in Sri Lanka.<ref name="blow" /> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Wickrematunge was educated at St. Benedict’s College in Kotahena and was also a good sportsman.<ref name="daily news">{{cite news |first=Malalasekera |last=Sarath |coauthors=Jalaldeen, Rafik |title=Sunday Leader Editor shot dead |work=Daily News |page= |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/09/news03.asp }}</ref> |
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== Career == |
== Career == |
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Wickrematunge was a lawyer before becoming a journalist and entering the political scene Wickrematunge started working for the ''Island'' and ''Sun'' newspapers.<ref name="daily news" /> He later became the editor of the ''[[Sunday Leader]]'', which he started with his brother ,<ref>{{cite news |first=Jyoti |last=Thottam |coauthors= |title=Dying for Journalism: Lasantha Wickrematunge of Sri Lanka |work=Time |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1870440,00.html }}</ref> and also the ''[[Morning Leader]]''. All ''Leader'' publications are very critical towards the government and exponents of opposition's political views.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Lasantha shot dead |work=BBC Sinhala News |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2009/01/090108_lasantha.shtml }}</ref> |
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== Death == |
== Death == |
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{{Campaignbox Human Rights In Sri Lanka}} |
{{Campaignbox Human Rights In Sri Lanka}} Wickrematunge was shot while he was on his way to work around 10:30a.m on 8 January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ranga |last=Sirilal |coauthors=Hull, Bryson; Richardson, Alex |title=Gunmen shoot editor of Sri Lankan opposition paper |work=Reuters |page= |date=10 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKCOL364513 }}</ref> The attack was carried out by four gunmen riding motorcycles, who blocked Wikramatunga's vehicle before breaking open his window and shooting him.<ref name="mirror">{{cite news |first=Dinidu |last=de Alwis |coauthors=Weerasuriya, Ananda |title=Lasantha shot dead |work=Daily Mirror |page= |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.aspx?ARTID=37349 }}</ref><ref name="guardian1" /> He was taken to the nearby Kalubowila Hospital by those who were nearby. It was initially planned to transfer him to the [[Colombo National Hospital]], but due to his unstable condition, medical teams started brain surgery at the Kalubowila Hospital itself. A specialist team of 20 of the best medical personnel were called in for the surgery.<ref name="mirror" /> Despite being subjected to surgery lasting nearly three hours, Wickramatunga died from his head wounds |
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=== Reaction === |
=== Reaction === |
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Wickrematunge's assassination caused a public outcry, with reactions from both local and international organizations and individuals. |
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Some blamed the government directly or indirectly for it. <ref name="rsf">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=29916 |title=Outrage at fatal shooting of newspaper editor in Colombo |accessdate=10 January 2009 |work= |publisher=Reporters Without Borders |date=8 January 2009}}</ref> <ref name="blow">{{cite news |first=Alastair |last= Lawson |coauthors= |title=Grievous blow to Sri Lankan media |work=BBC News |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7817793.stm }}</ref> President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] described the assassination as an attempt to discredit the government,<ref name="the hindu">{{cite news |first=B. Muralidhar |last=Reddy |coauthors= |title=Editor of Sri Lankan daily assassinated |work=The Hindu |page= |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010956091400.htm }}</ref> The opposition leader [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] observed that it was part of an anti-democratic conspiracy and accused the government of attempting to silence its critics.<ref name="the hindu" /> |
Some blamed the government directly or indirectly for it. <ref name="rsf">{{Cite web |url=http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=29916 |title=Outrage at fatal shooting of newspaper editor in Colombo |accessdate=10 January 2009 |work= |publisher=Reporters Without Borders |date=8 January 2009}}</ref> <ref name="blow">{{cite news |first=Alastair |last= Lawson |coauthors= |title=Grievous blow to Sri Lankan media |work=BBC News |page= |date=8 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7817793.stm }}</ref> President [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]] described the assassination as an attempt to discredit the government,<ref name="the hindu">{{cite news |first=B. Muralidhar |last=Reddy |coauthors= |title=Editor of Sri Lankan daily assassinated |work=The Hindu |page= |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=10 January 2009|quote= |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010956091400.htm }}</ref> The opposition leader [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]] observed that it was part of an anti-democratic conspiracy and accused the government of attempting to silence its critics.<ref name="the hindu" /> |
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Revision as of 16:55, 14 January 2009
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Lasantha Wickrematunge | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 5, 1958 |
| Died | January 8, 2009 (aged 50) |
| Other names | Surinimala |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist , Lawyer |
| Spouse | Sonali Samarasinghe |
| Children | Avinash, Ahimsa and Aadesh |
| Website | http://www.thesundayleader.lk |
Lasantha Wickrematunge (April 5, 1958 – January 8, 2009) was a leading Sri Lankan journalist and former editor-in-chief of the The Sunday Leader. Throughout his career, Wickrematunge built up a reputation for taking on the the country's politicians, becoming one of the most influencial journalists in the country. He had published many articles exposing alleged corruption and scandals within various past governments in Sri Lanka.
Wickrematunge was assassinated on 8 January, 2009, while driving to work in Dehiwela, just outside Colombo.[1][2] His killing has been widely condemned, with the Daily Mirror calling it the "biggest blow" to media freedom in the country and the Editors Guild of Sri Lanka saying they hold the government responsible for the killing as it has failed to stop attacks against media personnel. The government has also expressed its shock at the killing, and pledged to do everything in its power to catch his killers.[3] He was the latest in a series of murders of journalists in Sri Lanka.[4]
Early life
Wickrematunge was educated at St. Benedict’s College in Kotahena and was also a good sportsman.[5]
Career
Wickrematunge was a lawyer before becoming a journalist and entering the political scene Wickrematunge started working for the Island and Sun newspapers.[5] He later became the editor of the Sunday Leader, which he started with his brother ,[6] and also the Morning Leader. All Leader publications are very critical towards the government and exponents of opposition's political views.[7]
Death
| Assassinations of Journalists during the Sri Lankan Civil War |
|---|
| See also Human rights in Sri Lanka |
Wickrematunge was shot while he was on his way to work around 10:30a.m on 8 January 2009.[8] The attack was carried out by four gunmen riding motorcycles, who blocked Wikramatunga's vehicle before breaking open his window and shooting him.[3][1] He was taken to the nearby Kalubowila Hospital by those who were nearby. It was initially planned to transfer him to the Colombo National Hospital, but due to his unstable condition, medical teams started brain surgery at the Kalubowila Hospital itself. A specialist team of 20 of the best medical personnel were called in for the surgery.[3] Despite being subjected to surgery lasting nearly three hours, Wickramatunga died from his head wounds
Reaction
Wickrematunge's assassination caused a public outcry, with reactions from both local and international organizations and individuals. Some blamed the government directly or indirectly for it. [9] [4] President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the assassination as an attempt to discredit the government,[10] The opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe observed that it was part of an anti-democratic conspiracy and accused the government of attempting to silence its critics.[10]
The UNP, Sri Lanka's main opposition party, also staged a demonstration in the parliament on 9 January to protest his killing.[11]
The assassination was condemned by the Norway, United States, the European Union and Japan, while the World Bank expressed its concerns over the attack.[12]
Posthumous Editorial
Following his death, the Sunday Leader carried a controversial posthumous editorial, which implicates the Government in his death.[13][14] The government has in turn accused the opposition of trying to gain political advantage of the assassination. [15]
See also
References
- ^ a b Luft, Oliver (8 January 2009). "Sri Lankan newspaper editor shot dead". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)] - ^ "Top Sri Lankan editor shot dead". BBC News. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c de Alwis, Dinidu (9 January 2009). "Lasantha shot dead". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Lawson, Alastair (8 January 2009). "Grievous blow to Sri Lankan media". BBC News. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b Sarath, Malalasekera (9 January 2009). "Sunday Leader Editor shot dead". Daily News. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Thottam, Jyoti (8 January 2009). "Dying for Journalism: Lasantha Wickrematunge of Sri Lanka". Time. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Lasantha shot dead". BBC Sinhala News. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Sirilal, Ranga (10 January 2009). "Gunmen shoot editor of Sri Lankan opposition paper". Reuters. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Outrage at fatal shooting of newspaper editor in Colombo". Reporters Without Borders. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
- ^ a b Reddy, B. Muralidhar (9 January 2009). "Editor of Sri Lankan daily assassinated". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Xiong (9 January 2009). "Sri Lankan parliament adjourned following opposition's protest". Xinhua. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Hull, C. Bryson (10 January 2009). "Anger rises over killing of Sri Lankan editor". Reuters. Retrieved 10 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm
- ^ Slain journalist's 'J'accuse' ignites furor in Sri Lanka
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7827262.stm
External links
- And Then They Came For Me: Posthumous Editorial
- Goodbye Lasantha : Memorials by his wife, brother and other Sunday Leader staff
{{subst:#if:Wickramatunga, Lasantha|}} [[Category:{{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:1958}}
|| UNKNOWN | MISSING = Year of birth missing {{subst:#switch:{{subst:uc:2009}}||LIVING=(living people)}}
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