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Colombo: The editor of a newspaper strongly critical of the Sri Lankan government has died after being shot by gunmen, medical officials said on Thursday.
Lasantha Wickramatunga was shot Thursday morning by two gunmen on a motorcycle as he drove to his office at the Sunday Leader newspaper.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe of Kalubowila Hospital said the journalist died from head wounds after nearly three hours of emergency surgery.
Police spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said the attack was being investigated.
The shooting came two days after more than a dozen gunmen armed with assault rifles and grenades raided a private television station and destroyed much of its equipment.
Media rights groups accused government supporters of villifying opposition media and creating an atmosphere that inspired attacks against them.
Will such incidents deter people from freely expressing their views and thoughts? How important is the role of the media during war?
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