They silenced a crusader for justice and peace

By Dr Vickramabahu Karunaratne

(January 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) I was one of the main speakers, at the funeral of Lasantha Wickrematunga the unbeaten journalist. One year has passed since then, but nothing has come out of the investigations into this brutal murder. This was to be expected as those responsible are hiding behind the seat of power. Lasantha was one who spoke the truth fearlessly even against the powers that be, that is why they killed him. They waited for the right opportunity and got him killed. Thereafter, they engaged in a massive cover-up exercise that is still going on. Meanwhile, those military chauvinists that were behind this and other attacks on the media and journalists have come apart. In the current struggle to win the presidential stakes the two agents of global capital are engaged in a game of blaming each other for the earlier oppressive acts against the media. Indirect references have been made to Lasantha’s killing too with both sides threatening to expose the truth and in fact, partially doing so in the process.

Dark period

Masses watch with concerned interest as more and more light is being shed on the dark period of Lanka during the course of this heated election battle. We of the Left do not have any illusions. Notwithstanding, whatever is promised or pledged the oppressed people will not get anything delivered on a platter. We have to struggle and fight for our rights. In particular, media persons have to face fearful odds in striving to unravel the truth behind various assaults on the media; chief of which is the dastardly assassination of Lasantha. His killers may think that the gun could silence the voice and the pen. But as a fellow fighter I want to remind his killers that the last word about his death has not been written yet. Even in the presidential election campaigns, everyday I mention the necessity of a time when justice would be meted out to killers, both the arrow and the archer. Not only for Lasantha but also for others who stood for truth and liberty. This is not a challenge, threat or boast but a simple statement of the absolute necessity for the survival of humanity.

Fearless editor

It is necessary to remember the facts. Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunga was brutally assassinated in broad daylight on a public road. He was murdered on January 8. Refusing to be silenced by the powers that be, the fearless editor of The Sunday Leader fought valiantly against overwhelming odds to expose corruption, racism and military chauvinism. On that fateful morning, a domestic aide had detected signs of potential danger. Some unknown men on motor cycles were hovering around in the vicinity of Lasantha’s residence. The domestic aide warned Lasantha; unfortunately he underestimated the cruelty of those who behaved like his fiends. When Sonali Samarasinghe, his wife heard about the hovering motorcyclists she pleaded with Lasantha not to go out of the house at that time. But Lasantha refused to listen to her and started out in his car to the office asking Sonali to come later in her car. The motorcyclists had followed the vehicle and Lasantha had telephoned some friends on his mobile phone and told them of the suspicious nature of the “motor cycle men”.

Lasantha’s car was on the way to Attidiya near the Bakery handiya junction when the stalking assassins got into action. They converged around like predators encircling the prey when the vehicle was close to Malagalage junior school. According to some eye-witness accounts there were four motor cycles in all. Two had cut across in front of the car blocking Lasantha and forcing him to brake suddenly. Two other motor cycles moved up on either side of the car. The assassins in black, wore helmets. A steel bar wrapped in newspapers was whisked out. The windscreen was smashed. The assassins then forced the door open and attacked him. Thereafter,they mounted their bikes and sped away. There was a sentry point manned by the Air Force about a 100 metres away. Several onlookers saw the terrifying assault. But the assassins simply vanished. Thus ended the life, of a fearless scribe. He was crusading for justice and peace.

A great loss for journalism and Lanka. What is more, they destroyed in the process yet another bridge that closes the gap between the majority and the minority communities. Our duty is to remember what he stood for and march forward.