Czech EU Presidency condemns Wickramatunga murder

The Czech presidency of the European Union has condemned the brutal murder of Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga, the editor-in-chief of The Sunday Leader newspaper, who was shot dead by an assailant in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday. Mr Wickramatunga had regularly criticised government policy, the Czech news service ČTK reported. In its statement, the Czech EU presidency expressed regret over the loss of the journalist, who ranked among the most open critics of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. and expressed concern over recent acts of violence which it said went “against the basic principles of democracy”.

Author: Jan Velinger