A number of commemorative events have been organized to mark the 10th death anniversary of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge who was brutally assassinated on January 08, 2009.
The 10th anniversary of the assassination of Lasantha will be marked with a service at his graveside.
Family, friends, former colleagues and others, including those from political and diplomatic circles, will gather at Borella Kanatte on 8 January at 9 a.m. to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha.
This year’s memorial will also feature a tribute to other journalists slain in the line of duty, acknowledging that Lasantha’s story wasn’t the only one.
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 two gunmen on motorcycles in the middle of morning-rush-hour traffic.
The investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far and his killers still roam free, a decade later.
A forum titled ‘10 Years After Lasantha: Whither Investigative Journalism in Sri Lanka?’ will be held January 08 at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), No. 24, Horton Place, Colombo 7, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The speakers will comprise The Sunday Morning Editor and former The Sunday Leader Editor Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, Sunday Observer Editor and former The Sunday Leader journalist Dharisha Bastians, AFP Sri Lanka and Maldives Bureau Chief Amal Jayasinghe, Nikkei Asian Review Regional Correspondent and former The Sunday Leader Features Editor Marwaan Macan-Markar and Groundviews Editor and former The Sunday Leader journalist Raisa Wickrematunge. A panel discussion will follow.
Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of the slain journalist, said: “Its hard to believe it’s been ten years since my father’s passing. It’s hard to put into words how surreal a decade feels when the grief is as real and consuming as it was the day he died. It’s hard when images of a crime scene are embedded in your mind; I don’t know if they will ever fade and if I can ever truly live in peace.
So many memories I shared with my dad have been clouded by trauma and the dirty politics surrounding his murder. We still miss him as we did the day he died, and we will not miss him any less in another ten years.”
Santhushya Fernando / January 4, 2019
Standing in solidarity with you, Ahimsa. He is a symbol of so many forgotten tears and sighs of many.
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Fouzi / January 5, 2019
While standing in solidarity, being the tenth year, is it not already time is ticking faster than ever for the law of the land to act speedily. Added Maithri Gunaratne is appointed Governor by MS !!!
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Dodo / January 6, 2019
The politics of distraction from politician’s hate crimes and financial crimes against the people of Lanka is alive and well with Peace Corps and foreign funded Colombo NGO ladies carrying placards for animal rights outside Temple Trees hoping to catch a glimpse of Bondscam Ranil.
Never mind the mass graves lets protest against a couple of animals being tortured by sadists and push for an animal rights bill to once again weaponize religious conflicts and practices of sacrifice by Hindus and Muslims.. to divide, distract and push the agendas of external parties in the looting of Sri Lanka and distract all from political corruption and lack of economic rights and justice..
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JD / January 8, 2019
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Amarasiri / January 8, 2019
Sanrhuslaya Fernando,
Ahimsa, became fatherless, and Lasantha and many others paid the ultimate price, while the killers and crooks amasssed the stolen loot. It was the stolen public money on the MIG deal that Gotabaya R pocketed, that resulted in Lasantha’s killing among other factors.
The Budget deficit for 2019 is 4.5percent of GDP, and there is no war. The loan payments consume 50 percent of the revenue. What were the numbers then?
There was the Illegal and constitutional coup by Sirisena and Mahinda, and the they are at large and governing.
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Sandra Aponso / January 4, 2019
It is reported that Maithri Gunaratne would be appointed as the Northern Governor, while Azath Salley would be appointed as the Governor of the East.
MS earlier tried Transferring Nishantha Silva of CID. The daughter of slain editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, Ahimsa, wrote a strongly-worded and poignant letter to President Sirisena, issuing a character certificate for the CID officer who had flown to Australia to question her about her father’s murder.
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Bingo / January 4, 2019
Unless a guy who is a strong believer of justice and human rights becomes Sri Lanka’s leader, this case would never be resolved. But one thing is clear, currently every political party has deals with each other, though they terribly sling mud at each other. The majority of people, the fools, would believe what’s said on TV and nothing beyond the camera lens.
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mike / January 4, 2019
Bingo – “Bingo” Medamulana Meeharaka Rajafucksha definitely had a deal with Ranilpaksha. I agree!
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Tony Rodrigo / January 4, 2019
Bingo agreed with your comments.
Sajith will be a worst leader from UNP. He has deals with both MR group and MS group.
His associates are Shiral, Maithri, Tiran Alles, Capital M,aharaja media coolies.
All the investigations of frauds murders will be swept under the carpet.
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JD / January 8, 2019
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JD / January 8, 2019
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Amarasiri / January 4, 2019
Dear Family, Friends, Former Collegues and others,
Lasantha is gone, but his memories and what he worked and stood for, transparency and exposure, is what his killers were after, and by memorializing Lasantha, a tribute is paid to him and all others who were killed and victimized.
What is sad is that his killers are known and are still at large. Same story with the sportsman Thagudeen, who was killed by the killers who are still at large.
Please record, video tape the event and distribute in the social media, so that millions who could not attend can learn, and pay their tributes in their own way.
May Lasantha Rest In Peace.
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mike / January 4, 2019
Amarasiri – “Lasantha is gone, …….”, “The same story with sportsman Thajudeen,”……
I wish Ranilpaksha would read your comment!
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Bunjappu / January 8, 2019
Mike, why not lankens go on protest yet, even if they all know that so called pseudo patriots -Rajapakshes nobody else killed all of them “Lasantha is gone, …….”, “The same story with sportsman Thajudeen,”
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Why ballige putha Rajapakshe is be held above altar yet today ?
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Why cant people in this country see it right yet ?
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Why should the people further be intimiated by these rascals ?
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JD / January 8, 2019
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Kiyanage Kumara / January 4, 2019
Lasantha is dead and gone now, taking many secrets with him.
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Even Sonali has forgotten all about him now and its time the rest of us also moved on.
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[edited out]
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Vanguard / January 4, 2019
According to these CT pages his wife says his death had nothing to do with journalism. Is CT misleading
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Vijekumar / January 9, 2019
I am very proud of the Batticalo journalists who commorated lasanthas death anniversary with Christian, Hindu and Muslim clergies. Next year I want to have Memorial Day in USA. I am in Tri state area.. I want to invite our senator too.
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K.Anaga / January 4, 2019
CT
“The investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far……….” or the results achieved so far has not been made use of? Please verify from Mahinda ,Maithree and Ranil.
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chitra / January 4, 2019
Sri Lankans should be outraged that Lasantha’s murder, like many others, remains unsolved, and no justice found for their loved ones. Those responsible are living good lives, driving luxury cars, going to 5 star hotels, some which they own.
Where is justice?
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Pronto / January 4, 2019
The beloved daughter of Lasantha, Amay be requested to ask the President on the progress of this investigation and also when the charges will be framed in courts against the suspects with their names. I pity, my dear friend Lasantha, May your soul rest in peace!
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Maharage, / January 4, 2019
Lasantha Killers are well known and maraud our streets today as war heroes. Gottler, the lead hand in this killing is provided the highest state security.
Can someone answer “WHY?
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soma / January 5, 2019
Yes I can . Lot of CT commentators know who killed him, but wouldn’t assist the investigators by revealing their source.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / January 5, 2019
somass
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The entire police department knows who killed Lasantha. Ranil and Hopper Sirisena wouldn’t let the police charge those suspects for their own respective reasons. Ranil has a deal with him which was renewed on 9th Jan 2015.
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Hopper Sirisena would not allow the police to prosecute members of Ranaviru even if they raped his daughter, mother, wife sisters, grandmas, ……………. and his son.
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So your usual clever dick ploy won’t work.
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JD / January 8, 2019
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sdes / January 5, 2019
Did you ask sarath gonseka who killed Lasantha? :)
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Samuel Jayaweera / January 8, 2019
Why SF to be interrogated while entire world is well aware,of the facts about the murders, they are no body else, but Rajapakshes.
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Not Just Lasantha W, Eknaligoda and Thadujdeen are all murdered by Rajakashes. There are plenty of evidence, which are now blocked off by PRESIDENT et al.
If I were part of victimized families, I would have gone mad today.
Not being able to bear THE SIZE OF INJUSTICE done and being made to this nation by RASCAL RAJAKASHES.
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soma / January 5, 2019
Let us not forget to commemorate Richard de Zoysa along with Lasantha Wickramasinghe.
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Soma
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Pandi Kutti / January 8, 2019
Yes only forget the 145000 or more innocent Thamizh civilians who were deliberately killed tortured raped/sodomised by your brave Chingkalla soldiers who are continuing to kill torture rape and make like hell for the Thamizh civilians in the north and east, deny them a living , steal their lands /homes to give than to Chingkallam and at times to Thullukans and build Puthar statues and Viharais everywhere , as symbol of oppression to remind the Hindu/Christian Thamizh who is the boss and the ruler. We know you are a racist who only mourns the death of Chingkallams but not the Thamizh
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Chan Sen / January 8, 2019
I dont know where you are coming from. The language and accusations are intended to be more of false properganda, and only shows how you people who wanted a massive TN state by carving out 2/3 of the coast and 1/3 of the land of a sovereign country. The price that we paid for megalomaniac plan was over 80,000 innocent lives. Over 30 yrs it was the people in the North who suffered more, by your support of a continuing guerilla warfare. You destroyed the future of more than two generations of Tamil youth by depriving education, to say the least. You still honor stupidly the your late leader’s death, who is only second to Hitler, a genocidal, racist. We in SL, now that he is gone, and war is over and want everybody to live in peace and harmony. You should come out of your rathole, and come and visit SL sometime, and visit the North and the East sometime.
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Cholan / January 9, 2019
He He He
A fake..borrowed..artificial victory of SL cardboard army.
With the help of 134 nations, this cardboard army still wet their pants.
Before advising others go and see what is happening in North East today.
Before 2009 even young girls can walk alone in midnight today?????
How can you called J.R.Jayawardena …..Murdepakse .bruders ….Grandfather of Hitler.
When they were at their peak you all modayas hide under bed hugging your nonans now vomiting here.
It is you ….your father….Grand father..Great grand father are all responsible for the creation of Tigers got it coward?
Cheers
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Pandi Kutti / January 9, 2019
Chingkalla kurangu only person lying is you . Like most Chingkallams still do not want to acknowledge your state sponsored Sinhalese Buddhist that caused all this mayhem and is still causing all this mayhem. Eezham Thamizh are not interested in greater Thamizh Nadu or in India , we want freedom for our land that is now under Sri Lankan state sponsored oppression by Chingkalla kurangus like you. So what if our land consists of 2/3 of the coast and 1/3 of the land area? This has always been our land from ancient times and not Chingkalla kurungu land. Now Chingkalla kurangus and Thullkans are trying to steal it. You never or the Sri Lankan state had control of these Eezham Thamizh lands until 1948 , Chingkallams are 74% of the population and have 2/3 most fertile parts of the island and still a very large coastal area be content with this , instead of trying to steal ours, using forces and all sorts of fake history and accusations , that we want to create greater Thamizh Nadu, neither people of Thamizh Nadu or the Eezham Thamizh , especially the Eezham Thamizh are interested in this, even the LTTE has never and ever stated that is wanted a greater Thamizh Nadu. this was a myth created by Chingkalla kurangu racist like you , to scare the Hindians. Eezham Thamizh have never been part of India or any ancient Thamizh kingdom, they have always had their own unique culture and country from ancient times. Go and get a life instead of posting lies
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kolla / January 5, 2019
Everybody knows the true Lasantha-Ranil’s cat paw, one who wanted to become a Cabinet Minister in a Ranil Government and perhaps( these are generally not certain )agent of RAW.
When true Sri Lankans were dying and getting maimed on the battlefield to rid terrorism from this country Ranil/Lasantha /Ravi and NGOs were working overtime to slander and sabotage the effort and demean the brave soldiers.If there was any truth in what Lasantha said about the army/ defence high ups, why hasn’t Ranil and Yahapalanaya exposed those allegations ?
But that does not mean we approve of killing him. But look at it in perspective-he was no angel. Even in America if you try to support Bin Laden you will get killed.Try supporting Islam extreme in UK .
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shankar / January 5, 2019
kolla
lasantha was killed just before he was going to courts to testify on the MIG aircraft deal.He had said he will give some important evidence at the trial.
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soma / January 5, 2019
Further he is no hero. He changed his birth religion indicating a phycologically weak man . It is a common phenomenon that a man who changes religion from one to another and attempts to convert others bears a kind of unreasonable grudge against the followers of his previous religion. (
On the other hand giving up religion to settle as a free thinker represent true moral courage)
That is the source of his hatred against the society struggling to survive against all odds at the hands of the most brutal terrorism world has ever known. Many unaware of his life story interpret this as ‘courage’. No murder has more propaganda value than his.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / January 5, 2019
somass
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“He changed his birth religion indicating a phycologically weak man . It is a common phenomenon that a man who changes religion from one to another and attempts to convert others bears a kind of unreasonable grudge against the followers of his previous religion.”
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Like your ancestors.
Not only they converted to Christianity, then to Buddhism and now being converted to Sinhala/Buddhist fascism. In the meantime they had also replaced their languages.
Those who now professed to be the zealous guardians of Sinhala/Buddhism (fascism) are carrying lot of baggages from the past. Only their zeal cover up their conversion and justify all their past, present and future planned atrocities towards others.
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Therefore you are free to riot loot, kill, rape, arson and get away with murders.
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Good Student / January 6, 2019
Fake Vedda,
You are recycling your same old garbage, unable to accept historical facts I mentioned in my previous comment, which clearly touched a raw nerve in you.
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Native Vedda / January 6, 2019
Good Student with bad education
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“You are recycling your same old garbage, unable to accept historical facts I mentioned in my previous comment, which clearly touched a raw nerve in you.”
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Why should recycled garbage touch my raw nerve when your typing never had any facts or basis?
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Cholan / January 9, 2019
@ Soma
Thanks for parading your stupidity here.
Can you describe about the following so-called leaders please.
Stephen Senanayake
Solamon Dias Bandaranayake
Dudely Senanayake
Julius Richard Jayawardena
Percy Rajapakse
These power hungry leaders throw their religion and embraced Buddhism and acted like Buddhists.
Do you remember the world press headlines during 1983 massacre?
MONDAY SILL SUNDAY KILL
Does Buddhism exist in this cursed land?
If Buddha comes today he will commit suicide after hearing the massacre of Tamils since 1956.
Cheers
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K.Pillai / January 5, 2019
CT Editor laments ~ “…..The investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far and his killers still roam free, a decade later”.
Not quite. To ensure delay, repeatedly, the investigating team was changed. The plan was to eventually conclude that “Yes couple of miscreants waylaid Lasantha who drew his revolver but instead of firing at the attackers, shot himself………”. This is also known as Wimal theory.
This would have worked but the naughty naughty voter did a nasty on 08 January 2015.
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The case can be closed if and when the Lankan Armed Services and Police change their loyalty to GoSL.
PS: Where art thou Frederica Jansz?
PPS: MS and/or RW, please tell us who heads the investigation now.
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Spring Koha / January 6, 2019
Lasantha W, Richard DS, Wasim T, et al……a very long list indeed.
As long as the puppet-masters occupy the hot seats of power, they will protect each others backsides.
The dead will stay dead. The perpetrators will carry on living the good life, and only worrying whether their favourite dish is on the buffet today.
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Good Sense / January 8, 2019
It is the general order where rule of law does not apply, the chaps opposing the views of the powerful have no right to live. The Jarapassa establishment is recognized to be the culprit of this deed of doing away Lasantha. Who is the actual murderer and who was the mastermind? We, as citizens are interested to know that. It is our right and it is not a case of poking into somebody else’s business. We changed the Jarapassa regime. Why could not the succeeding regime, to which a good amount of people had some faith at the time of voting, fail to do so. That appears to be a bigger mystery than solving the murder of Lasantha’s death. There could be so many possibilities for this unsatisfactory situation. The two predominant possibilities are thought of by many. First one is that the investigators are a set of nincompoops who cannot unravel a slightly difficult case. That possibility is very often debunked by examples where the Police have cracked the uncrackable cases. The second is that the evidence is there but it is subject to the laws of trade. “You fellows earned Billions. Giver a part of it for us to conceal the evidence against you for a limited period of time.”. That seems a plausible.
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Rtd. Lt. Reginald Shamal Perera / January 8, 2019
These children of parents who died under mysterious circumstances use their parents death to make themselves famous.
This is the oldest game in South Asia. Benazhir Bhutto used her Pater’s death to become famous. Hirunika used her Pater’s death to become famous.
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Native Vedda / January 9, 2019
Retard …………..
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Seriously, you forgot Dudley and the weeping widow.
Sajith, Nayakkas, ….
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ramona therese fernando / January 8, 2019
Poor Lasantha. Same thing happened to Kasogi. Journalists must ask themselves now if espionage and adventurous journalism is worth taking the risk , and how far it is away from the greater good.
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G.Kumudu Kumara. / January 8, 2019
What is that important of this man?
He has not done any changing suiatition of people of Sri lanka?
Compare with Richard Soysa of that great journalist that L.W has done nothing at any field !
His voice is/was not that among the poor or have not.
Large majority of right thinking people are NOT that accepts role played by L.W.
Meanwhile that millions of citizens of Island not worried about him.
We do not know why is that CT has give such propagandas for L.W…..!
Is that he was hero of Nation?
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