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Mass protest at funeral of slain Sri Lanka editor
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by Sanjay Jha | January 12, 2009 at 08:28 pm
258 views | 21 Recommendations | 3 comments
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Amidst the tight security thousands of people attended the last rites of killed Sri Lankan editor Lasantha Wickramatunga in capital Colombo. The dead editor was a fierce critic of Sri Lankan government policy and all out war against Tamils.
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The deceased editor has been very critical of Rajapaksa government and had several run ins with them.
He was shot last Thursday by unidentified gunmen as he drove to work. He died from head wounds after nearly three hours of surgery.
Thousands marched in the funeral procession of a slain Sri Lankan newspaper editor in the capital Colombo on Monday, demanding the government punish those responsible to ensure media freedom and democracy.
A packed crowd gathered at the entrance of Sri Lanka's main cemetery in one of the largest protests in recent memory, blocking roads and vowing to fight until democracy was restored.
Sunday Leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga was gunned down in traffic on Thursday morning and died in hospital soon afterwards. The government promised a thorough investigation.
The United States, the European Union, Canada and India have all condemned the killing and demanded a swift investigation.
Diplomats, opposition politicians, journalists and rights activists all marched in the hours-long procession.
"This death is a serious blow to democracy and media freedom," opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe said.
Many mourners carried placards reading "End Tyranny, Defend Democracy!" or "Defend Democracy, Defend Dissent".
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Sanjay Jha
New Delhi, India
indi.ca
Sri Lanka
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Recommendations (21)
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Amitjha
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chanaka
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Mumbai, India
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 21:33 on January 12th, 2009
He was a really good journalist who want to show the corruptions, His death was more benefited to the opposition leaders to take as a election campaign.So we should carefully study who is to be blamed. His death was more important to Opposition parties and the want to blame the government.
I personally believes this was not done by government as they have so many disputed which openly whole Sri Lanka knows. This was a another double jeopardy done by some people to trouble the government to stop war and some will benefited to back to politics bringing these placards reading "End Tyranny, Defend Democracy!" or "Defend Democracy, Defend Dissent".
His lost is great fall back to the Sri Lanka, But this was lottery to the opposition. Sanjay if you see the funeral it is so hilarious to see some political figures who address his funeral was to be once labeled as killing great journalist during the period of 88 / 89 in Sri Lanka. See how these people use some ones death to fulfill there dreams.
Good post and there are hidden facts to be post in future. We will update you. one again good one.
at 02:48 on January 13th, 2009
Thanks Chanaka for sharing a local perspective to this story. Looking forward to your updates!!
at 03:17 on January 13th, 2009
"His death was more benefited to the opposition leaders to take as a election campaign."
Looks like a classical example for one stone, two birds story.
Agent