In an interview with the UK’s Press Gazette this month, Lal Wickrematunge, brother of murdered Sri Lankan newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, lamented the self-censorship of his country’s press, and warned that UK hacks should fight for their own freedom of speech as an example to others, saying “Those who are in safer climates must keep the drum beating because these are the standards that other journalists in troubled areas look to.” Padraig Reidy writes
Lal Wickrematunge
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Sri Lankan journalists are looking ahead to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Colombo in November. While British Channel 4 News and Australian ABC journalists will be wondering if they will even allowed into the country, after the president took umbrage at their coverage of his brutal final push in the civil war with the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lankans will be wondering if, post-Leveson, David Cameron will be able to look the likes of Rajapakse in the eye and talk about press freedom.
Mukesh Sandanam / July 12, 2013
He lost a brother for his reckless journalism.
Now he laments that Sri Lankan journalists
are resorting to self-censorship. Does he expect
them to follow in his later brother’s footsteps
or recklessly get murdered. On who lives fights
another day Lal. The media is not the CWE. First
pay the EPF, ETF and gratuity to your staff before
pontificating on Lankan and British journalism.
It is better if you limit your comments to a junior
police officer (SI level) or a printing hand. You
used the brush of Haris H to paint others black. Now
you pontificate.
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quidproquo / July 15, 2013
Journalism does not kill journalists. Gunmen, operating under orders from political elites, do.
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Deviled Prawns / July 17, 2013
That is the most absurd thing iv ever heard even more funnier than when Gota or Gadaffi Rajapaksa said people think of him as a hero!
How can journalism kill you its those that carry out the orders or do the killing themselves that kills
& i also like to add that im singhelese and even the LTTE are more respected in sri lanka than mr white van
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Mahinda Rajapaksa / July 15, 2013
Brilliant Piece by Lal W
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Koththu Rotty / July 15, 2013
Lalaji Wickremetunga has now trying to become
Sri Lank’s Rupert Murdoch. Gratuitous advice
on what the journos should do, do not do and
how they should behave is all coming from this
self acclaimed grand daddy of media entrepreneurship
in Sri Lanka.
Before you preach, you should explain why you
received a monthly fee from the UNP to run your
newspaper. You should also explain [Edited out]
Rupert’s men resorted to other vile things. Scotland Yard
has launched operation elvenden and the details are now
coming out. Alas, in Sri Lanka there has so far been NO
such investigation. If there is one, Lalaji, like his dearest
friend and colleague, would also have to seek asylum.
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Peace maker / July 16, 2013
Lal is a brave individual who has more balls than all the current unp members combined
he has lasanthas bravery
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Haran P / July 17, 2013
The wickrematunges are still shareholders in the sunday leader
Lal Wickrematungs still owns 30% and I hope they will regain the newspaper someday back into their family.
I dont care for Asangas ownership and hope Lasantha’s legacy can be revived
/