The eighth death anniversary of The Sunday Leader Founder Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge, which falls on 8 January (Sunday), will be marked with a service at his graveside.
Lasantha Wickrematunge
Family, friends, former colleagues and others, including those from political and diplomatic circles, will gather at Borella Kanatte at 9 a.m. to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha.
Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha was one of Sri Lanka’s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of the Rajapaksa Government. He was attacked as he drove to work and later died of his injuries. The brazen attack was carried out by gunmen on motorcycles in the middle of morning rush-hour traffic.
The investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results in the last eight years and his killers still roam free.
Ben Hurling / January 7, 2017
Not a single high profile murder case has been solved by Yahapalanya clowns.
In utter disregard of the public will.
LW’s memorial should be held outside RW’s gate.
Cheers!
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Native Vedda / January 7, 2017
Ben Hurling
“Not a single high profile murder case has been solved by Yahapalanya clowns. In utter disregard of the public will.”
What chance do you have of delivering justice to war victims of the past, say starting from 5th April 1971?
Don’t let the criminals hide behind patriotism, smart patriotism, Buddha Sasana, Buddha statue, Sinhala Only, Sinhala/Buddhism, …… Sinhala/Buddhists, war heroes, …… war victory, …. sovereignty, anti federalism, unitary state, …..
Those were very good places to hide their own criminality, inefficiency, mistakes, nepotism, …..
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Sam Fernando / January 7, 2017
NV,
I ll bet, Rajapakshe will also be attending the anniversay to show his innocience.
That is how Rajaapkshe acts.
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Horikadey / January 7, 2017
Sam,
Won’t be surprised if Sarath Fonseka, former Boss of the unit-eka, also joins the Prayer-Memorial and even shed a few tears- for the TV-media to record the event.
Good gracious!!! What great actors our chameleon “political leaders” are.
Horikadey
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MsMaralathoni / January 8, 2017
Your efforts to hang it on him will never work.
Since truth will succeed even if it takes bit longer than we ever thought.
SF is one of the few honest men I get to see in lanken politics. He could also be stick to his party, but he thought, he can do something if he would join with a grand party, that is why he joined himself to UNP. I think if many would rethink it alone, can helpthis country easily.
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nimal fernando / January 9, 2017
Horikadey,
Good.
But what benefit did Fonseka gain from Lasantha’s death?
Would you like to elaborate? I bet you’ll just run and hide.
Is it any wonder, Sri Lanka is what it is.
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Natasha / January 8, 2017
I bet Field Marshall Fonseka too will attend to show his innocence. [Edited out]
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Sama / January 8, 2017
Just tell us where SF made the kind up show up. He will never be second to anyone that way. I believe the man has been person one can learn how to lead a respectable life. He earned his titles for his life sacrifices.
Looking at the manner, how convicted prisoners like DdeSilva of Hiru Sender family men- and former Amry commander are subjected to face the prison life, even 10 year olds would rise and pose the question ” why is the double standardness ” ?
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Native Vedda / January 11, 2017
Sama
It is not how the war criminal Fonseka behave in public but what was his thought on ethnic minorities.
Here is an excerpt from his old interview to
“In the general’s view, the war is driven by Tamils who want a homeland and have chosen Sri Lanka as the place. But he says the country’s ethnic Sinhalese majority will never allow the ethnic Tamil minority to break the island apart.”
“I strongly believe that this country belongs to the Sinhalese but there are minority communities and we treat them like our people,” he says.
“We being the majority of the country, 75%, we will never give in and we have the right to protect this country.
“We are also a strong nation … They can live in this country with us. But they must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things.”
“He dismisses concerns by international human rights groups about the conduct of his forces, saying that while civilian deaths are inevitable in war, relatively few non-combatants have died in the Sri Lankan conflict.”
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=832374
He is another Sinhala/Buddhist racist war criminal who happen to lead the army where all instructions came from Hindians.
He never apologized for what he said then when he sought support from Tamils when he contested the presidential elections.
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Uthungan / January 11, 2017
Yes, if one recollects the memory of the murdered MP Raviraj at whose funeral Rajapakse was seen among the mourners.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 7, 2017
Surely Rajaakhe will join them, the manner the bugger also showed up to Mangalaramaya particularly because Managalarama mad monk loudly attacked to Mr Sirisena using his regular filthy langague.
If Rajaakshe would have been joining this event, can dilute the thoughts that the men would ever have been the perpectrators of the murder of LW.
Rajaakshe sucked the blood of the poor, but on his return from a foreign trip that wasted millions for nothing, went to the paddy field and to act his role to show that he is one of those farming community. That is how he consolidated his powers across this country. Today even all low income earners … support him since the lack of information about the abusive family their true colours.
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Nallur Sam / January 8, 2017
Sam,
There is no need to call the former president ” Bugger” after all Im sure an intelligent person like should agree to his contribution to the country despite his faults.Further he was the president of SL I dont think its proper to call such names !! BTW Im for MR for what he did that is finishing the war also Im not low income or uninformed either
Cheers mate
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Sam Fernando / January 8, 2017
It is up to you to call him as you like it.. I will remain calling him all the last for my good reasons. Even if his term found end to the relay race of the war – that held over last 30 years, I will never forgive him the manner YOUR beloved Athigaru intenetionally ignored drug trafficking into the country.
Please check it yourself the way how he defended that Lanza the drug kin pin… how many of the parents whose sons being caught by drugs – today weeping in this country. :: just because his politics could not be financed without DRUG MONIES entered to the country – all the young men have lost somewhere being caught by drugs today. That is a HENA GAHANA APARADHAYAK.
Besides, who would say that his magical powers eleminated LTTE terror held in the country. Collectivity succeeded it. But media men painted it in favour of Rajakashes. THat was the mistake. Even today, see how Derana, Hiru, Sirasa abuse the poor of this country.
These media mafia and Rajakashe mafia re the problem of the day. Nothing else.
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 8, 2017
it is just simple, I am not for MR for what he did… just in terms of elimination of terror. It was not he alone but collective forces fought the war. Those who know it, always know that they marketed the eleminination of terror in favour of them. Gulliable masses will take long to realize this but we got it long back. All or not issue ended up turning MR a power intoxicated guy.
Today he does nto know what he is talking about. Often he is no far from that GOOGLE joker Wimal Weerawanse. Why is that ?
Today those men pelted stones as protests.. how is behind these crimes if not Rajaakshe proxy men from the area.
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Native Vedda / January 8, 2017
Nallur Kanda Samy
Here is a news for you, in response to a question on the murder of Lasantha Wickremetunge, Gota tells The Sunday leader that
“The investigations must be properly carried out. As I see it the government, has caught the wrong people. It seems that the government is trying to go on the wrong track on purpose. However, since an inquiry is being carried out on the matter, I prefer not to comment on that. “
If the present government has caught the wrong people, who are the right people?
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Simon De Silva / January 7, 2017
Lanken law and order is naked.
That is why they just promise, but do nothing.
Not a single among the high sharks are convicted even if you have Prima facie evidence at your disposal. Why ?
So in the same time, State and lanken courts say, we can rely on our courts. on what basis ?
May be few issues have been done since the new govt s been in power.
But that is not even 0,0000000000000000000001% in terms of serving justice to the victimized by high criminal cases since no war is is longer there.
Judges and law professionals should be made accoutable and people are longing to know what block them taking due actions.
If the lawful provisions available are not sufficient, international communities should help hand lanken law and order to bring intact so that high criminals can finally be charged.
Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE: Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE: Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE: Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE: Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE: Please GOD HELP srilankens, to come oout this situation:
AVERAGE SRILANKEN VE BEEN MOURNING:::::: NOT SEEING ANYTHING TANGIBLE OCCURE IN THE LINE OF SERVING THE JUSTICE; BUT JUSTICE:
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danusia / January 10, 2017
Another Grave has to be dug alongside for a symbolic protest to show how My3 / RW are trying to bury all these high profile murder cases and democracy on the whole. LW was killed precisely for digging out the dirt the Rajapakshes and his cronies trying to sweep under.
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Good Sense / January 7, 2017
If we are to encourage freedom of speech, one essential element is to enforce the law with respect to the killers and performers of violence on journalists. Very often those in power say that freedom of the wild-ass should not be accorded to the pressmen. No sensible person encourages the freedom of the wild-ass but the prouncement has threatening effect.
I have no capital to start this venture, but I am providing food for thought for others to form a school in journalism dedicated to late Lasantha Wickramatunge.
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Amarasiri / January 7, 2017
RE: Lasantha’s Eighth Death Anniversary To Be Marked With Graveside Memorial Service
May Lasantha Wickrematunge, rest in peace.
Unfortunately, all the Avtars of those killed by Mahinda Rajapalksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and cronies, are still agitating for justice, but Sirisena, the Turncoat, Traitor, Gona, Mala-Petetaya and Sevalaya is slipping, contrary to the promises made to the 6.2 million votes who voted for him.
Liars are Liars. and Politicians are Politicians and they are in symbiotic relationship with each other.
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soma / January 8, 2017
All knowing Amarasisri
You forgot avatarays of 60,000 on tyre pyres.
Soma
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John / January 7, 2017
‘They’ will continue to roam free with support from this Govt for all the crimes of the past regime…..as the country has now grown to accept.
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gamini / January 7, 2017
Lasantha in addition to revealing about Corruption was also aware of the hoax of a War, that MR and VP carried out jointly to bluff the gullible masses in the country. However in the end VP was sacrificed with his close cadre by fellow LTTE like KP and Karuna Amman to consolidate MR’s position as a War Victor. This propaganda War, was carried out with the help of International players. I believe for those who are intrigued about this Hoax of a War that MR boasts today of having won against the LTTE by defeating them should read Lasantha’s editorial, ‘Day After Tomorrow’ of the Sunday Leader of 3rd August 2008 to get an incite to what I claim. How the LTTE buried all their armoury and even abandoned their stronghold Kilinochchi and ended up on the beach front, VP believing the International forces would rescue him. The presence of the Ships then in the Eastern waters was only to lure VP out of Kilinochchi. I firmly believe that Lasantha was killed for the fear that he would have exposed the entire Hoax of the War Drama including the main Architects India and the US. So the Rajapaksas had the nod from them to do away with Lasantha, before he exposed the whole drama. If only Souls could speak!
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Sajin de VG / January 7, 2017
When Richard de Soysa was killed his killer R Premadasa was the first to pay his “respects”.Similarly Mahinda and Gotabhaya Rajapakaya should be at this remembrance.
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Natasha / January 8, 2017
What about Sarath Fonseka?
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Shan / January 7, 2017
Every year comes and goes as usual with no hope of redressing the balance – not even a single faintest ray.
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Ajith / January 7, 2017
The murderers of Lasantha still wants to come to power and kill more and more people because more and more people are now knowing the truth about how these murderers cheat the people. These murderers think that the Sinhalese masses can be easily cheated by murderering Tamils or Muslims and those Sinhalaese who stand for justice to Tamils.
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James / January 7, 2017
THE MURDERES OF LASANTHA ARE CRIMINALAS, NO DOUBT. BUT THE PRESENT ‘YAHAPALANAYA’LEADERS WHO ARE PROTECTING THESE CRIMINAlS ARE THEWORST KIND OF CRIMINALS.
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marlan .de.silva- canada / January 8, 2017
May lasantha wickramathunge rest in peace . what a stupid investigation , was happened in security area with air force barriers and also near ratmalana air force base . also their are higher mounted gard posts to search around and closed to bakery junction in broad day light . What is this respective courts and these investigating offices and other intelligence offices are doing . with all the information’s are there and it dragging means something fishy . all this political big guns are in same arena , only thing is different parties , but all are having connections . that’s why their is a saying in sinhala [koyi kage killotawalath hunu thibe kiya]. Their is no place for true straight forward people in this vicked & visches world. All these politicians are comes to power by this innocent civilians votes and once they takes the power makes these voters like dumb muppets the way they wants to handle . how many cases like this one are dragging at present and also there have been no one responsible for these murders , kidnapping and torturing . All these guys are white dressed saints .nation suffers . shame on you politicians . hope their will be a blessed good governance to the country and future generations . before that has to clear and settle all these present things . may blessed with triple gem.
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Frustrated lankan / January 8, 2017
The people know that Ranil and Sirisena are in readiness to protect Members of the Rajapakde family from murder and fraud charges.
Do not expect much justice in this lawless country. How many murder charges have been resolved so far.
Raja will capture the power by hook or by. Crook or even by murdering otthers who resist him capturing the power.
Once he Gain the power all the evidence, documents and charges against Princesses and their stooges will be destroyed and court records will be destroyed. Judges will be given family holidays abroad and parties to do what Raja wants them to do.
That is the justice we need to put up with.
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Nimal Maharage / January 9, 2017
Usually, the killers make their presence at such occasions, perhaps with tears, to hoodwink the public.
Technically, GoTa, the killer should be present at this occasion. But this time, I doubt if he could do it. Because, obviously, it is well known that he did the job by hiring his death squads.
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