Seventeen years after the assassination of Lasantha Wickramatunga, Sri Lanka’s acclaimed journalist and founding editor of the Sunday Leader, his murder remains unresolved, highlighting persistent challenges for press freedom and justice in the country. In an exclusive interview with the State-run newspaper Silumina, Lal Wickramatunga, Lasantha’s elder brother, spoke candidly about his brother’s life, career, and the harrowing events of January 8, 2009, as well as the ongoing struggle to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Born the youngest of six children, Lasantha grew up in a family deeply rooted in public service and civic engagement. Their father had served as Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council. Lal Wickramatunga recalled that writing and public discourse were integral to their upbringing, with all siblings encouraged to express themselves through written work. The media career of the family developed almost organically: Lal initially worked in printing and publishing, overseeing comic book production, before transitioning into newspaper publishing. Lasantha, a trained lawyer, contributed his skills as a writer and journalist, agreeing to join Lal in establishing the Sunday Leader on the condition that management would not interfere with editorial independence. Together, they created a publication dedicated to exposing corruption, fraud, and political malpractice.
Lal Wickramatunga recounted the day of Lasantha’s assassination in vivid detail. On the morning of January 8, 2009, Lasantha left his home in Battaramulla and was immediately shadowed by multiple motorcycles. Despite prior warnings from friends and colleagues, he continued to work, moving between his home, the newspaper office, and meetings, all while being closely followed. An eyewitness described a three-wheeler and two motorcycles surrounding his vehicle near Attidiya, after which Lasantha was forcibly removed and placed in a van by unknown assailants. Emergency medical treatment was administered at Kalubowila Hospital, including surgery led by Professor Mohan Silva, but the attempts to save him were unsuccessful.
The murder has been shrouded in confusion and contradictory evidence from the start. While eyewitnesses suggested he was stabbed, post-mortem reports categorized his death as a shooting. Forensic inconsistencies, including allegations of interference with the original examination, prompted the exhumation of Lasantha’s body to ensure proper legal procedures were followed. Lal Wickramatunga emphasized that these steps were necessary for any credible judicial process.
Investigations over the years have been slow and politically fraught. Initial claims propagated by the Rajapaksa government suggested the LTTE was responsible, a narrative Lal firmly rejected. “All communities liked Lasantha. The LTTE had no reason to kill him,” he said. He asserted that members of the Sri Lankan army were involved in orchestrating the attack, and that new evidence has since identified some individuals connected to the operation. Legal proceedings, however, have yet to result in any direct arrests for the murder, with prior detentions linked primarily to concealing evidence rather than executing the crime itself.
Despite the prolonged lack of justice, Lal Wickramatunga highlighted the support his family has received from civil society, fellow journalists, and international human rights advocates. Lasantha’s daughter has actively pursued justice from the United States, while local activists continue to draw attention to his case and similar high-profile murders, including those of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda and lawyer-activist Wasim Thajudeen. Lal emphasized that these cases are emblematic of a broader struggle against impunity in Sri Lanka and represent symbolic battles for justice for many victims whose cases remain unaddressed.
Reflecting on his brother’s character and professional ethos, Lal Wickramatunga described Lasantha as fearless and uncompromising in his pursuit of truth. “If you can wake up in the morning and look at yourself without shame, then that must be it,” he said, quoting a lesson from their schooling. Lasantha reportedly refused to impose editorial restrictions even when faced with personal threats and institutional pressures, prioritizing journalistic integrity over safety. Lal recalled that both he and Lasantha, along with other writers, faced repeated threats during lawsuits and political intimidation, yet they never deviated from their mission.
The broader context of Lasantha’s work and murder underscores the precarious environment for journalists in Sri Lanka. At the time of his death, Lasantha had been investigating a controversial deal involving a senior government figure, placing him at heightened risk. His murder near the Attidiya Air Force Base, in broad daylight, demonstrated both the audacity of the perpetrators and the challenges for law enforcement in ensuring accountability. Lal Wickramatunga recounted the moment he had to inform his father of Lasantha’s critical condition, describing it as the most difficult experience of his life, a memory he continues to carry vividly seventeen years later.
Seventeen years on, the Wickramatunga family remains steadfast in seeking justice. Lal Wickramatunga believes that the rule of law can eventually prevail, saying, “Yes. I believe it. Lasantha sought justice. Lasantha worked for justice.” He stressed that achieving accountability in his brother’s case is inseparable from broader efforts to ensure press freedom, the protection of journalists, and a transparent judicial process in Sri Lanka.
