Some elements obstructing probe on Lasantha murder: brother

By Yohan Perera   

There are some forces who are preventing the Government from carrying out probes and action on the killing of Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickramatunga, the slain journalist’s brother Lal Wickramatunga alleged yesterday.   

“The Attorney General is not carrying out action with vigour as there are some forces who are preventing action,”  Wickramatunga told a media briefing organised by the Lasantha Venuven Api,an organisation formed by former employees of the Sunday Leader Newspaper.   

These things are happening despite personal assurance given by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that his brother’s killers will be brought to book, Wickramatunga lamented. “The President personally promised me that an effective probe will be carried out on my brother’s killing and I am waiting till justice is meted out,” he said.   

“One IGP has manipulated evidence on Lasantha’s killing while a DIG has destroyed Lasantha’s notebook where he had written down the number of the motorbike of his killer. There have been four other murders that are connected to Lasantha’s killing. The killer could be identified if these cases are probed,” he added.   

“The reputation of the Security Forces is tarnished because of a few wrong doers. We do not intend to tarnish the image of the Security Forces because of a few officers,” Wickramatunga also said.   

He said Lasantha Wickramatunga has become a hero of press freedom in the eyes of the international community.   

Secretary of the Lasantha Venuven Api Organization, Samantha Hewapatirana said Wickramatunga’s killers are now in the pockets of those in the Government.