Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured justice over the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge and other crimes committed against the media.
Jayatissa said that investigations into those crimes have resumed after the new administration took office.
The Minister noted that investigations into Wickrematunge’s murder stalled as those who committed the crime were in Government for a number of years and governments that followed did not pursue the case.
The 16th anniversary of the assassination of The Sunday Leader founder Editor-in-Chief Lasantha Wickrematunge was commemorated on 8 January.
Speaking to reporters during the death anniversary, Lasantha’s brother Lal said that past Governments did not have the political will to investigate his murder.
However, he said the current administration has given a commitment to ensure justice for his murder and several other crimes.
Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha was one of Sri Lanka’s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of the then Rajapaksa Government. He was attacked as he drove to work and later died of his injuries.
The brazen attack was carried out by two gunmen on motorcycles in the middle of morning-rush-hour traffic.