Lasantha Wickrematunge, the editor of Sri Lanka's Sunday Leader newspaper, was killed on Thursday, Jan. 8, on his way to work. Anticipating his own killing, Wickrematunge, an outspoken critic of the government, left a letter to be published in just such an event. His paper published the letter on Monday, Jan. 11:
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090111/editorial-.htm
The Government of President Mahinda Rajapakse (also written as Rajapaksa) has denied any involvement in the killing. Wickrematunge says in his letter: "When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me."
He also says: "I hope my assassination will be seen not as a defeat of freedom but an inspiration for those who survive to step up their efforts. Indeed, I hope that it will help galvanise forces that will usher in a new era of human liberty in our beloved motherland."
Amen to that. And may Lasantha Wickrematunge find peace.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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Posted on my Facebook blog network by Shanti Christensen:
ReplyDelete"First they came..."
I've always liked that poem by Martin Niemöller. If any written piece should move people out of apathy, this would be it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...