13 January 2009 On 8 January, prominent Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickramatunge, the editor of the Sunday Leader, was shot dead by gunmen on his way to work. Mr Wickramatunge was often critical of the government as well as the opposition, in a country ranked the second most dangerous place in the world for journalists. Lord Hannay, UNA-UK’s Chair, has written to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London calling on the government of Sri Lanka ‘take immediate and decisive steps to bring to justice those who committed this appalling crime and to end impunity for violence against journalists’. The Guardian has run a powerful editorial by Mr Wickramatunge, written in anticipation of his murder. Click here to read the article. The Guardian has also published an op ed about the journalist’s death and his contribution to his country by UNA-UK staff member Natalie Samarasinghe. |
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