(Hong Kong, January 16, 2009)
You may view this YouTube presentation at:
Part 1: http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=K86K94F5ywQ
Part 2: http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=QRE5Og5_LiY
Part 3: http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=bMyXZM-f1ww
Lasantha Wickramatunga was assassinated on January 8, 2009. He had been subjected to harassments and attacks before and he was fully aware that he was the target of an assassination scheme. This article entitled, And they came for me, was intended to be read posthumously in the event of his predicted assassination.
The article was initially published in the Sunday Leader on January 11. Immediately on publication it was picked up by the media throughout the world. Already, it has been reprinted in internationally reputed publications and also picked up locally in many countries by numerous channels. It has been reproduced both in print and the electronic media. It has also been quoted in television commentaries.
This article, within just three days of its publication, has become the best known piece from a Sri Lankan author. The article is also the most circulated piece of writing by the author himself.
The popularity of this article is mostly due to the very clear and succinct message it gives into the chilling political reality of Sri Lanka. The author unravels a powerful murder machine established within the country which a citizen, no matter how prominent he or she may be, cannot expect to escape except by way of quitting whatever task they are engaged in. If one is to obey ones conscience and do the right thing under the present circumstances, they run the risk of death. The author of the article was faced with that choice and he stuck to the call of his conscience.
Whatever else I may have been stuck for, I have not been stuck for choice.
But there is a calling that is yet above high office, fame, lucre and security. It is the call of conscience.
This editor was well aware of who is murderers would be.
When finally I am killed, it will be the government that kills me.
He also recalls his earlier ordeals.
It is well known that I was on two occasions brutally assaulted, while on another my house was sprayed with machine-gun fire. Despite the government’s sanctimonious assurances, there was never a serious police inquiry into the perpetrators of these attacks, and the attackers were never apprehended. In all these cases, I have reason to believe the attacks were inspired by the government.
He also predicts that no genuine inquiries will be conducted into his assassination. Addressing the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, he writes,
In the wake of my death I know you will make all the usual sanctimonious noises and call upon the police to hold a swift and thorough inquiry. But like all the inquiries you have ordered in the past, nothing will come of this one, too. For truth be told, we both know who will be behind my death, but dare not call his name. Not just my life, but yours too, depends on it.
Addressing the President Rajapaksa he further says,
Sadly, for all the dreams you had for our country in your younger days, in just three years you have reduced it to rubble. In the name of patriotism you have trampled on human rights, nurtured unbridled corruption and squandered public money like no other President before you. Indeed, your conduct has been like a small child suddenly let loose in a toyshop. That analogy is perhaps inapt because no child could have caused so much blood to be spilled on this land as you have, or trampled on the rights of its citizens as you do. Although you are now so drunk with power that you cannot see it, you will come to regret your sons having so rich an inheritance of blood. It can only bring tragedy. As for me, it is with a clear conscience that I go to meet my Maker. I wish, when your time finally comes, you could do the same. I wish.
A reading of the full text of this article is been made available in YouTube as a tribute to the slain journalist and also as a aid to anyone to understand the way that Sri Lanka has become a dangerous place for anyone who cares for democracy, rule of law and human rights.
