Prayathna People's movement condemns the brutal assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunga
Prayathna People’s Movement vehemently condemns the brutal assassination of the Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga. This is the second cruel attack on media within 72 hours. The entire civil society is shocked with this sad news while the memory of Sirisa attack still looming in the country.
This is not the first time the Sunday Leader being attacked. Earlier, Mr. Wickrmatunga was threatened and the printing press of the paper was burnt. Two days ago we have pointed out that a fascist shadow is being spread all over the country. With this attack, this has been well proved. It is now clear that a powerful group which does not tolerate any dissenting views operating in the country.
Mr. Wickaramatunga is one of the few journalists who revealed large number of corruption and malpractices in the country. He always stood for the media freedom.
Media freedom is fundamental in any democracy. Under democracy, it is necessary to allow various opinion including dissenting ideas. But, this fascist group is not prepared to accept and tolerate these democratic principles.
The attack on Wickramatunga clearly demonstrates that there is a threat to journalists. If we allow to continue this situation not only journalists but also the right-thinking cannot survive in this country.
Therefore, we call upon all the democratic forces, civil society and religious organizations to rise up against this tendency and unite to defeat this fascist shadow that engulfed through the country.
Kelly Senannayake
General Secretary
prayathna people’s movement