Rohana Kumara | |
|---|---|
| Died | (1999-09-07)7 September 1999 |
| Occupation | Chief Editor of Satana |
| Spouse | Gayani Pavithra |
| Assassinations of Journalists during the Sri Lankan Civil War |
|---|
| See alsoHuman rights in Sri Lanka |
Rohana Kumara was a Sri Lankan journalist. He was the chief editor of the pro-oppositionSinhala-language newspaperSatana. He was shot dead while he was travelling home in a taxi after having received a call that his house had been attacked. He was facing a series of defamation cases for writing about government corruption.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] TheFree Media Movement andThe Sunday Leader accusedChandrika Kumaratunga's security unit of being behind the attack and murder of Rohana Kumara and shielding the killers.[8][9][10]
Rohana Kumara had been detained earlier in 1996 under thePrevention of Terrorism Act after he reported government losses duringBattle of Mullaitivu in 1996, in which the rebelLTTE routed Sri Lankan army, and put up news posters calling for the resignation ofAnuruddha Ratwatte the deputy defense minister, who he held responsible for the defeat. The posters stated:
"Who is responsible for the Mullaitivu debacle? Dead bodies in the south.Ratwatte [Deputy Defence Minister] resign! Read the newspaperHoo!"
Four other employees of the newspaper were also detained, but they, along with Rohana Kumara, were freed.[11][12]
MinisterMahinda Wijesekara had openly threatened to killSatana editor Rohana Kumara,The Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga, andRavaya editor Victor Ivan for articles about corruption in his ministry in the lobby of theSri Lankan Parliament.[13]
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