President censures Lasantha's death

by Wijitha Nakkawita

The murder of senior journalist, Editor, Sunday Leader, Lasantha Wickramatunga on Thursday (8) had drawn protests and condemnation from all political parties, diplomatic missions, religious and society leaders, media and non-governmental organizations while President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the murder of Lasantha who was known to the President from the time the latter joined the SLFP and became an active member of the party in the late 1970s.

Lasantha who started his career as a journalist at the now defunct Sun later joined The Island editorial.

He took to politics following the footsteps of his father who was a SLFP stalwart in Colombo North.

He contested the Colombo North constituency in the late 1980s as a SLFP candidate but was not elected to Parliament in that election.

He was then appointed Secretary to the Opposition Leader Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike but relinquished his post and became the editor of Sunday Leader.

An amiable and gentle person he however did not hesitate to criticise people even in the highest public office in his newspaper columns.