One year on, killing of Sri Lankan journalist who exposed corruption remains unresolved

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) expresses its displeasure over the failure to apprehend any person responsible for the assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunga, editor of the Sunday Leader and the first journalist to be honoured with Transparency International’s global Integrity Award in 2000.

After the assassination, President Mahinda Rajapakse ordered the Inspector General of the Police to conduct a full investigation and bring the culprits to justice. During the past year there were 23 court hearings on the investigation of this brutal assassination. However, the police is yet to file a final investigative report to the courts. Though the investigation was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recently the CID has failed to make any breakthrough.

Similarly, the police have also failed to make substantial progress in the investigation of the attack on the Television Channel, Sirasa/MTV which took place two days prior to the assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunga.

TISL urges the authorities to re-establish public faith in the rule of law and media freedom by bringing to justice those responsible for the assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunga and the attacks on the media including the attack on Sirasa.

We are pleased to note that there are a number of journalists who have ensured that the voice raised against corruption by Lasantha Wickramatunga does not die with his demise. It will indeed be an honour to Lasantha Wickramatunga if media and civil society investigate further into the corruption exposed by him, without fear or favor.

Transparency International condemns killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga
09 January, 2009