A book on the life and work of slain Sri Lankan Editor and journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was launched today.
The biography, titled “And Then They Came For Me’ is written by Wickrematunge’s ex-wife, journalist Raine Wickrematunge and captures in vivid detail his life story beginning with his early life, his entry into journalism, his political work, the triumphs and tragedies of the Sunday Leader journey, his brilliant investigative work and the many trials and tribulations he and his newspaper faced, ending with his murder in January 2009. The book is also full of touching, funny and sometimes hilarious anecdotes from his personal and professional life that throw light on the man behind the public persona.
Executive Director of the International Press Institute Alison Bethel McKenzie has said in her foreword to the book, “The memory of Lasantha, who was the editor of Sri Lanka’s pioneering Sunday Leader newspaper, has been burned into the minds of his colleagues around the world not only for his commitment to exposing corruption and laying bare the truth behind the actions of Sri Lanka’s government, but the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Who better to write this fitting tribute than Lasantha’s ex-wife Raine Wickrematunge, a journalist in her own right? A wonderful writer, the book is filled with details and nuances of Lasantha’s life. It is a book too long in the making and is a must-read for anyone aspiring to journalism or anyone disillusioned about having chosen this most noble of professions…”
On May 3 each year, UNESCO marks World Press Freedom Day and the release of the book in the month of May, the author says, is a fitting tribute to Wickrematunge who championed the cause of a free press in Sri Lanka.
Published by AuthorHouse and priced at £11.95 (e-book £7.95), ‘And Then They Came For Me’ is available for purchase from http://g.ua/W8rp (AuthorHouse site) or from http://amzn.to/10EtSjt (the Amazon online bookstore).
shankar / May 29, 2013
Wonder why she became his ex.Will she write about that too in the book.Nothing like the juicy gossips for us srilankans.
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J.Muthu / May 30, 2013
Go on tell the juicy bit for a change shankar…go on..
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salmaj / June 2, 2013
Why don’t we write about the book instead of looking for juicy gossips. What does it matter whether she is an ex wife, ex girl friend.
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shankar / June 5, 2013
salmaj,we are srilankans.Without gossip we will wither and die.
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Peace Lover / May 29, 2013
I wonder what Leela ( K A Sumanasekera) will say about this book
but im sure he will still ramble on on about his buddy Samabandan of TNA here too hahhhahaahahaha
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Oswin Peiris / May 29, 2013
He was truly an investigative reporter. He was fearless, truly a great journalist. Those that took his life will suffer many deaths.
Thanks Raine.
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Don Quixote / May 30, 2013
Sorry beg to differ, he wrote rubbish in some of his “investigative” pieces and it was aided and abetted by Frederica Jansz who was a joke.
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The truth / May 30, 2013
His reporting was ACTUAL reporting, backed by fact and proof, unlike all the rubbish you get nowadays. Always with proof and always with fact, always knowing what questions to ask. Your comment Mr. Quixote, is sad as you speak like todays weak minded lankan. Sad that your name has such a great literary character attached to it since you cannot know good reporting and actual NEWS when you see it.
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len / May 31, 2013
Don Quixote fan of Daily (good) News from Lake House I guess?
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Peace Lover / May 31, 2013
so does exposing corruption in high places not good journalism my friend?
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Ben Hurling / May 29, 2013
He gave his life to Sunday Leader.
But, now it is run by a Rajapassa proxy. A bt sad.
PS: I don’t blame them for selling. I understand it was the only way out due to financial problems etc. I just miss the real Sunday Leader.
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Tony Candappa / May 29, 2013
A sad waste of a life. Lasantha died trying to help Sri Lanka free itself from tyranny. Some day the truth must out.! He who is reponsible must be brought before the courts.
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Donald J Gnanakone / May 30, 2013
Best wishes to Raine and the children who have suffered badly in the past 5 years and a few years b4 he died as his interest changed with his involvement with his new wife of 13 days.
But he was involved for nearly 10 years, and got her a job in the SL embassy in Canberra in 2002, when Ranil became PM. That too was cronyism and nepotism which Lasantha and Sunday leader as well as all the journalist working there exposed relentlessly.
However, Asian Tribune wrote an article sometime in 2003 or 2004 headlining “SL’s undies exposed”. LOL. I am never a fan of Asian Tribune and criticized the article.
The headline of this book ” They Came For Me” is another controversy and opening of the “Pandora’s Box” of Sonali and brother Lal. It is sad that Lasantha did not have life insurance although living dangerously, nor did Sunday Leader buy any insurance for Lasantha to protect the newspaper or his family. I do not know what you call that.
Lasantha never expected the Rajapakses to murder him like the State Terrorist of other nations like Idi Amin’s Uganda, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, or Pakistan, Philippines, Sudan and many South American countries.
The quest to find out Lasantha’s murderers have been given up by his family, but a few others are still pursuing to expose the murderers. Cannot say no more, but the Rajapakses who are trying to put the blame on Fonseka and his MI, but they have not got away with murder. The US citizens need to watch out as his own people will finally let him down.
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Nelun Gunasekera / May 30, 2013
Jayantha,You should write a book.It would be quite interesting and informative.
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Ben Hurling / May 30, 2013
Yep. I endorse it.
Often I oppose Uncle Donald.
But, his book would be a great read.
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Donald J Gnanakone / May 30, 2013
Hi Nelun,
I have finally decided to do that especially after my brother Charles suddenly died in his sleep last July.
I also need to do that for the next generation and not for political reasons or brownie points with the political enemies of the Tamils. I am not doing it by giving my opinion but actual reasons and experience I have faced since May 27th 1958..
Now that VP is dead and Ranil has one more chance at the Presidency which he is still ill prepared because of people like Sajith, Karu J, and Killi Rajamahendran sabotaging UNP efforts of winning the elections at all levels.
There is plenty of experience especially the past 40 years, much before the LTTE was formed and VP was a teenager but very active in the Tamil struggle despite his age and poverty. lol.
Now I am still active as founder of Tamils For Justice and a War Criminals hunter, and hands on with Sri Lankan and Indian politics.
The next generation needs to know about the Sinhala-Tamil struggle, civil war, and year to year events and incidents, including several interviews both on international and US TV, documentary on Lasantha murder, (Out by end of this year), several books including a “fictional” book by …………..(cannot release information).
Donald Gnanakone
Tamils For Justice.
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Chum / May 30, 2013
Donald what is this documentry on lasantha and by whom is it maide
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Donald J Gnanakone / May 30, 2013
@Chum! I have no idea WTF you are.
Anyway, I cannot say more about the documentary.
Too bad.
None of Lasantha’s wives, or friends involved in the project. lol.
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chum / May 30, 2013
is lal wickrematunge going to be in it?
and when will it air id like to see it
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JimSofty / May 31, 2013
Tamil Mahavansam ?
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Native Vedda / May 31, 2013
JimSofty
“Tamil Mahavansam ?”
Why not?
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Chum / May 31, 2013
Donald was this the article?
http://www.asiantribune.com/node/8293
its actually pretty good
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Agnos / June 1, 2013
I have absolutely no doubt that this AT piece was written by Mahindapala. His style is so predictable, complete with attacks on Kumari Jayawardena, S.J. Tambiah and P.Sarvanamuttu.
It was said that HLDM was looking for a diplomatic post in Australia himself from Ranil W. and when that did not happen, he turned virulently against RW, Lasantha and of course Sonali.
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පොඩි කොල්ල / May 30, 2013
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zaheer musamil / May 30, 2013
Rest in [Edited out]. (This is a Third class journalist)
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Ben Hurling / May 30, 2013
CT,
Ref:zaheer musamil’s comment.
Is it an oversight that a brutally murdered person can be insulted like this on CT?
He is not around to defend himself.
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zaheer musamil / May 31, 2013
I dont know why some Stupid Sri Lankans try to admire this kind of third class journalist after his death. Lasantha Wikramathunga= Indrarathana Thera(Bull’s son)Nobody can take any important thing from their life.they are real bastards like jayalth Jayawaradana
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Ben Hurling / May 31, 2013
Zaheer Musamil,
I see one “third class indivdiaul” right now.
You!
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zaheer musamil / May 31, 2013
I dont want to argue any brailess people like you. Pls try to be a Bowatte Indraratne , the monk who died following self immolation as a hero (but as a dog) then you can enjoy with these worthless people in their hell.
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Ben Hurling / May 31, 2013
Zaheer Musamil,
LW was killed in cold blood in broad daylight. Killers unknown.
Your tiny brain may not have understood. That is not self immolation. Slight difference there.
PS: Insulting the victim of a brutal murder is a third class thing to do. Sorry buddy. Accept it. You can take it. You are still alive.
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Mohamed Marzook / May 30, 2013
Gossiping on assumed events of one personal life forgetting the person’s contribution in public life is an unfortunate culture of many Sri Lankans, and they even use public domains to publicise their assumptions. I disliked Lasantha for the political views he propagated, but respected him for his talent as a journalist and grieve his death as an asset lost to the nation. Talents of different nature and different thinking are necessary for positive single thinking to develop. At this time that Lasantha is remembered my sympathies goes to his wife/wives and children and others of his family and more to the Nation that has lost a talented thinker and writer.
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Chum / May 30, 2013
I wonder what 13 Day Bride Has To Say On This Book
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Mohamed Marzook / May 30, 2013
Not bothered about the contents of the book but the privacy of the 13day wife. Good mentality.
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Muliyawaikkal / May 31, 2013
Good point!
Please note it is written by Raine Wickrematunge NOT Sonali Wickrematunge.
I read the book and it doesn’t blame the government for his death. So we have a contradiction. One journalist against another.
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Amarasiri / May 30, 2013
“Published by AuthorHouse and priced at £11.95 (e-book £7.95), ‘And Then They Came For Me’ is available for purchase from http://g.ua/W8rp (AuthorHouse site) or from http://amzn.to/10EtSjt (the Amazon online bookstore”
Whatever, it is, Sunday Leader comes out with news that was or is closer to the truth than the lies spilled out by Daily Daily News and other Shill media and web sites.
His life was taken away by the Maras.
He dis not lose his life like the Yellow robed criminal Haraka who had some fireworks at Kandy a few days ago as a show for the media.
May Lssanta rest in peace and attain Nibbana or Nirvana or Nivan.
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Mahela / May 31, 2013
This is a great tribute to my friend Lasantha Wickrematunge.
You can run but you can’t hide.
Also we would like to read the lives on following.
1)Sandya Ekneligoda on Prageeth Ekneligoda’s disappearance.
2)War, Life and death struggle memories by Gen. Sarath Fonseka.
3)My life history as former CJ by CJ Shirani Bandaranayake.
Yes, before they start coming after all of us, better publish our own auto Biographies.
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Marwan / May 31, 2013
Be was daring, taking risks by exposing the miscreants, whoever it may have been. He loved his work doing investigative journalism. Being a lawyer himself, his analytical approach to prove a point was brilliant stuff to hold the interest of the reader. It was unfortunate that he fell foul to the present regime, when there was a major exposure in the making. The truth was silenced for good and got entombed with him. He truly was a son of this soil.
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K.A Sumanasekera / May 31, 2013
Social activities and family relationships of the high rollers or moderate vigilantes in our capital colombo don’t excite me even one bit, although my friend Shanker may not agree.
However the invitation of “Peace Lover” was so tempting , that I couldn’t let it go to the keeper.
Coming from poor rural stock, my only aim is to see the fellow brethren get ahead and catch up with at least some of the good life that their fellow Lankans now enjoy in the beautiful first world.
Besides the TNA, there are several fronts which are going full bore to finish off the Protector of the proletariat.
This deceased gentleman,would have been a formidable member of the Moderate Vigilantes.
Still they would need a lot more than one to make them a formidable force against the great majority of the inhabitant population,who happen to be Sinhala Buddhists. although some of them seem oblivious to what is going on around them.
According to the comments here , the decesed obviouly faced danger.
With his credentials and connections, he would have easily settled in the first world among our Diasporians.
There must have been some very good reason for him to ditch the opportunity to live overseas and stay in Colombo.
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Peace Lover / May 31, 2013
well done Leela (K A Sumanasekera)you say
“Coming from poor rural stock, my only aim is to see the fellow brethren get ahead and catch up with at least some of the good life that their fellow Lankans now enjoy in the beautiful first world.”
so does that include the LEE POTTER HOUSING SCANDAL where poor people lost their hard earned money??? PLS Answer that
you took my bait my boy you took my bait ;-)
yes Lasantha could have settled in any country he wanted but he choose to stay here in Lanka and died a hero ! (unlike some ppl who love to steal money under the guise of housing projects!)
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K.A Sumanasekera / June 1, 2013
You are very clever, Peace Lover!.
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Aney Apochchi! / May 31, 2013
K.A.Sumanasekers aka Leela aka Lee Potter Man:
You say, “According to the comments here , the decesed obviouly faced danger.”
What a genius you are to be able to utter such words of wisdom about a man who was assassinated within sight of a Security Point (what a misnomer!) manned by the mercenaries you support!
Your powers of deduction are truly astounding!
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K.A Sumanasekera / June 1, 2013
Aney Appochchi,
Didn’t they penetrate even armed to the teeth Security personnel and Military check points to kill more important peole like Kadiragarmar?.
Do you suffer from selective Amnesia mate?..
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shankar / June 3, 2013
leela/sumanasekera.what is this about lee potter that some people are going on commenting here about and you are silent about it.It is time to come clean and tell us all about it.If you are a robin hood and and took money from the haves and distributed it to the have nots rural folk that you love so much and want to empower,we will understand,don’t worry.We love Robin hood types,it is ingrained in our rebellious genes.
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Wilson / June 4, 2013
The murder of Lasanth Wickremetunga should not
only be condemned. The government of Sri Lanka
should also be accountable for the killing of
a journalist in the tour of duty.
But the question remais – What was Lasantha’s
journalism?
Those who know the backroom deals realise there
was blackmail and intimidation of those who did
not pay up.
Whilst he undoubtedly exposed some deals, there is
another side. A few of those were people who were
unsuccessful in winning tenders or deals. They
knew The Sunday Leader was the mecca for all their
ills.
The went on villifying people who were picked as
targets on personal grounds.There should be a healthy
debate on this subject purely to determine for the
future whether sick practices should be passed off as
pure, unadulterated journalism.
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