Opposition wants an international inquiry into Lasantha's killing

(January 08, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe and leaders of other opposition parties called for an international inquiry into the killing of The Sunday Leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga today.

At a joint press conference held in Colombo today the party leaders said an investigation by the police would not be sufficient and an international inquiry was required.

"We have no confidence in the police looking into this matter. We want an international inquiry into this incident and also into the attack on MTV," Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe said.

SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem said the killing of Mr. Wickramatunga was a peak point of the media suppresion that has been taking place.

"Every citizen and every party of this country who values media freedom should stand up against this," he said.

He also said the opposition party leaders will talk to ambassadors tomorrow.

SLFP (M) Convener Mangala Samaraweera said that what happened this morning was the most brutal attack on democracy in the recent past.

He also called on the media to express their protest by printing a black front page and for TV channels to stop telecasting for a few hours on a selected day. - Sri Lanka Guardian