Anti-government editor shot dead in Sri Lanka
Colombo: Gunmen on a motorcycle on Thursday shot and killed the editor of a Sri Lankan newspaper critical of the government, the second violent attack on media this week.
Lasantha Wickramatunga, editor of Sunday Leader newspaper had accused President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government of corruption. Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the president’s powerful brother, is suing the newspaper for defamation.
Media rights groups have accused the government of trying to stifle dissent in the war-wracked country by vilifying journalists seen as critical and creating an atmosphere of impunity for those who attack them.
As Wickramatunga drove to work during Thursday’s morning rush hour outside Colombo, two gunmen rode up and opened fire, police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said. Police have not arrested anyone.
Television images of the car showed bullet holes in the windshield and blood splattered over the seat. Wickramatunga was rushed into emergency surgery for nearly three hours but died of head wounds, said Dr Anil Jasinghe, director of Kalubowila Hospital.
Army captures rebel base
Sri Lankan forces sweeping down from the north captured an important Tamil Tiger base on the Jaffna peninsula on Thursday. The capture of Pallai on the narrow isthmus connecting Jaffna with the rest of the island nation came after the rebels withdrew much of their artillery and heavy weaponry into their jungle strongholds to the south. AGENCIES
Lasantha Wickramatunga, editor of Sunday Leader newspaper had accused President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government of corruption. Defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the president’s powerful brother, is suing the newspaper for defamation.
Media rights groups have accused the government of trying to stifle dissent in the war-wracked country by vilifying journalists seen as critical and creating an atmosphere of impunity for those who attack them.
As Wickramatunga drove to work during Thursday’s morning rush hour outside Colombo, two gunmen rode up and opened fire, police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekara said. Police have not arrested anyone.
Television images of the car showed bullet holes in the windshield and blood splattered over the seat. Wickramatunga was rushed into emergency surgery for nearly three hours but died of head wounds, said Dr Anil Jasinghe, director of Kalubowila Hospital.
Army captures rebel base
Sri Lankan forces sweeping down from the north captured an important Tamil Tiger base on the Jaffna peninsula on Thursday. The capture of Pallai on the narrow isthmus connecting Jaffna with the rest of the island nation came after the rebels withdrew much of their artillery and heavy weaponry into their jungle strongholds to the south. AGENCIES
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