Asia media forum honours late Lasantha

(March 28, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Lasantha Wickremathunga, the slain editor in chief of the Leader Publications, was posthumously presented a special award by the Asia Media Forum.

The award was presented for 'A brave Asian journalist from Sri Lanka for sacrificing his life for the freedom of the press'.

Sonali Wickremathunga, widow of Lasantha Wickremathunga, in a statement said that Lasantha, in addition to being outspoken on human rights issues, espoused a peaceful negotiated resolution to the conflict between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities and was strongly critical of corruption within the government.

While thanking the Asia Media Fourm for honouring Lasantha with the special award, Sonali Wickremathunga noted that for those who continue to fight for freedom, the road ahead would be steep but stated that 'We have to move on'.

She went on to say that it should be done to all journalists killed in the line of duty, for ourselves and the future of our children.

Sonali Wickremathunga further stated that Lasantha had many dreams including the emergence of a classless society, media that existed in the public interest, politicians that worked for the public interest and a peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict.

In her statement, the widow of Mr. Wickremathunga added that her husband had died in the pursuit of his dream and so did Martin Luther King.

-Sri Lanka Guardian