The killing of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was intended not only to eliminate an individual but also to send a serious warning to other journalists and professionals prepared to challenge political authority, corruption and powerful interests, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has said.
The killing of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was intended not only to eliminate an individual but also to send a serious warning to other journalists and professionals prepared to challenge political authority, corruption and powerful interests, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake has said.
He made the remarks yesterday (25) at an event held at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation to launch Nosalena Nonamunu Lasantha, the Sinhala translation by journalist Kasun Pussawela of Raine Wickrematunge’s book, and to screen the documentary And Then They Came for Me.
Mr. Dissanayake said the killing carried a message warning journalists and professionals to remain within accepted frameworks, avoid challenging those in positions of power and not attempt to bring about change.
Lasantha Wickrematunge, a prominent journalist and former editor of The Sunday Leader, was killed in January 2009. His death became an international symbol in discussions surrounding media freedom in Sri Lanka. His posthumously published editorial, And Then They Came for Me, also reflected his concerns about threats to journalists and freedom of expression.
The event was held to commemorate Wickrematunge’s legacy and highlight the importance of media freedom and the role of journalists in challenging powerful interests.
