The daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge is seeking justice from new Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for her father’s murder.
Issuing a statement, Ahimsa Wickremetunge said that she and her family are determined in seeking justice for her father, whose life was unjustly taken for speaking truth to power.
“Today, we stand with hope and unwavering determination in seeking justice for my father, whose life was unjustly taken for speaking truth to power. The pain still lingers 15 years on, but I remain resolute in my pursuit of the truth and accountability,” Ahimsa Wickremetunge said.
She said for 15 years the Governments in power refused to take meaningful action into her father’s assassination which is a stark reminder of the country’s culture of impunity.
Ahimsa Wickremetunge said that for the first time she was hopeful that regardless of the outcome of this election, justice could prevail with either of the two leading candidates.
She also thanked Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa who has consistently and personally promised justice for her family under a Premadasa presidency.
Full statement:
Today, we stand with hope and unwavering determination in seeking justice for my father, whose life was unjustly taken for speaking truth to power. The pain still lingers 15 years on, but I remain resolute in my pursuit of the truth and accountability.
Yesterday’s election result has given us a renewed sense of hope. The JVP has historically been critical of the establishment and we are hopeful this leadership will bring a fresh perspective into finally addressing the atrocities that have taken place in Sri Lanka’s recent human rights history.
Despite the overwhelming evidence by our brave and skilled detectives like Shani Abeysekara and Nishantha Silva, for 15 years the governments in power refused to take meaningful action into our father’s assassination which is a stark reminder of the country’s culture of impunity. It left my family no choice but to seek justice beyond our shores.
For the first time, we were hopeful that regardless of the outcome of this election, justice could prevail with either of the two leading candidates. Our family would like to thank Sajith Premadasa who has consistently and personally promised justice for our family under a Premadasa presidency. He fought long and hard in his campaign and he’s fought even harder for Sri Lankans.
The people have spoken and we congratulate Anura Kumara Dissanayake who has vowed justice for my father and many other families who suffered horrific losses under the Rajapaksa reign of terror. We look forward to working with his government in the pursuit of accountability and a just Sri Lanka. While the road to justice is long and arduous, I remain committed in my fight for my father and honoring his legacy.
