Deafening silence by Govt. on emblematic cases

22 April 2024 05:07 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Easwaran Rutnam

The Government is maintaining a deafening silence on the investigations over a number of emblematic cases.

Current President then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had in 2015 assured justice over the murders, including that of former Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and rugger player Wasim Thajudeen.

However, President Wickremesinghe and his administration have not provided any assurances to the families of the victims since taking office after Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced out of office.

Dr. Kasippillai Manoharan, whose 20-year-old son, Ragihar, was among the five youths killed in Trincomalee in 2006, told Daily Mirror he has not heard anything from the Government over the investigations.

Known as the ‘Trinco Five’ case, five Tamil students were killed on January 2, 2006, allegedly by the security forces at point-blank range.

Dr. Manoharan said that Amnesty International had been pursuing his son’s case and now another foreign individual was assisting to ensure justice.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of former Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge told Daily Mirror she is not surprised over the lack of progress over the investigations.

“With this government being very much in league with my father’s killers, It doesn’t surprise me that there has been no progress into his murder investigation. Although my family have no hope under a Ranil Wickremesinghe presidency, my battle for justice is far from over,” she said.

Wickrematunge said she will continue her fight in honour of her father’s call of conscience and advocate for accountability of individual perpetrators that have targeted journalists in Sri Lanka.

“Whether through international tribunals or institutions, I will carry on this fight to ensure those responsible will answer for these atrocities,” she said.

Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in January 2009 while he was on his way to work.

Some of the other emblematic cases include the killing of workers for Action Against Hunger in 2006, the abduction of 11 youths between August 2008 and March 2009, the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda and the Welikada Prison incident of 2012.

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Comments - 20

Not Allowed To Be Involved Monday, 22 April 2024 07:18 AM

One of the conditions many feel Ranil got this presidency post is that he can’t get involved or disclose any previous high profile cases. That’s why he is sailing smoothly and enjoying the high life with all the heavenly perks from the state funds. Very obvious isn’t it to the average person who is eagerly waiting for justice on the countless murders and high profile corruption cases.

Sambo Monday, 22 April 2024 07:54 AM

Birds of feather gather together. So could one expect for any results.

citizen Monday, 22 April 2024 08:10 AM

When an election comes near , those victims image are comes out, once election conclude, they will be forgot.

Citizen Monday, 22 April 2024 12:43 PM

Yes that is the poor state of Sri Lanka, no people bothered about these victims, there are so many HR organisations in SL, what have they achieved so far.

Ghosts Monday, 22 April 2024 09:46 AM

What did the yahapalana govt achieve during its absolute tenure with irs favourite investigator in charge as head of CID

Thiru Monday, 22 April 2024 10:11 AM

How about thousands of Tamil civilians butchered by a foreign army in Jaffna , still no one talks about it.

Volker Metzger Monday, 22 April 2024 01:30 PM

How many thousands of Sinhalese and Tamils were often brutally slaughtered and executed by Prabhakaran and the LTTE terrorists! How many ordinary villagers, old and young, monks and city dwellers were their victims! Your view of the war is one-sided, subjective and in no way corresponds to the actual events of reality!!!

C.K.Lankaputhra Monday, 22 April 2024 11:22 AM

Mind you, he is no more, Ranil Wickramasinghe , he is Ranil Ranil Rajapakasa . Well and truely, he proved it.Shame.

Broken promises Monday, 22 April 2024 12:38 PM

Nothing, I mean nothing going to happen. They are all of the same feather. This is Sri Lanka.

ANNECUNT Monday, 22 April 2024 01:11 PM

unless we get rid of RAJAPASAS WE WILL NEVER PROSPER

Asakvlfsdbg;sjgndjgn Monday, 22 April 2024 01:19 PM

RW, you will lose this presidential Election, this is why people in this country will not trust the same birds feathering together, even if SJB comes, there wouldn't be any results, so NPP jayawewa.

Justice Monday, 22 April 2024 04:26 PM

Sri Lanka is a country where justice never prevails

Ganapathy Thambipala Monday, 22 April 2024 04:36 PM

RW is telling people to believe him for justice! Some Gonas still believe, unfortunately. Now there is no way of going this country with unleashed dogs like that!!

L.M.Fernando Monday, 22 April 2024 06:17 PM

The said cases are "emblematic" but what about the many cases that are less the emblems.

Lion Monday, 22 April 2024 06:31 PM

theses cases will be properly examined and the truth will be brought to light only under a NPP government,

Democrat Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:44 AM

Yes , that is the only party which could unravel the mestrey behind this heinous crime as they do not have any link with alleged perpetrators

Donkey doing dog's work Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:13 AM

Need a system change. SL had been following western system ever since they were subjected to wester rule. Unfortunately western mindset and philosophy does not fit SLn intellect. The system change should be "The people to be masters and politicians to be servants and NOT politicians to be dictators and people to be slave", as how it is now. No UNP, SJB, SLFP, NPP, SLPP or any other minor party will act differently. What's happening in SL is, the donkey doing dog's work. Wish we didn't get "independence".

Habarakada Somapala Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:22 PM

Im sure that once WIN, forget all these issues as happened to Myna, Kabaraya, Gamarala and PINA!!

Patcitz Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:15 PM

Ranil's FAKE Political DRAMA started to tarnish His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa's regime, because of that Ranil hold leadership under the US PLOT; ARAGALAYA coupled with fabricated CORONA VIRUS created by the very US, targetting Pakistan's Imran Khan, and Sri Lanka's Gotabaya Rjapaksa.

Nojst Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:18 PM

Neither the family members of Lasantha Wickrematunge nor rugger player Wasim Thajudeen will receive JUSTICE. But a politcal GIMMICK by mutt Ranil acting under the US COMMAND.

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Deafening silence by Govt. on emblematic cases

Comments - 20

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