News & Events

SLPI Directors Express Shock and Horror at Editor’s Killing

Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 8, 2009

The Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Press Institute expresses shock and horror at today’s cold blooded murder of the Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge by yet unidentified gunmen.

It is well known that the late Wickrematunga had an adversarial relationship with both the incumbent government as well as its predecessor. This killing has taken place just two days after the armed attack on the MTV/MBC television station at Depanama.

Inaction over previous such incidents has created a public perception that both these attacks may have involved a state agency and it is incumbent on the President and the government to dispel such suspicion by a thorough and meticulous investigation. No suspects have been arrested over recent attacks on media personalities including Keith Noyahr, Edition of the Nation, and Namal Perera of the Sri Lanka Press Institute.

The transparent investigation and speedy arrest of suspects is most essential in the interest of all concerned. The Directors of the SLPI urge the government to utilize all resources at its command to bring the killers to justice.