Sri Lankans Rally for Justice and Press Freedom on Anniversary of Journalist’s Murder

journalists, activists, and civil society members gathered at Independence Square in Colombo to mark the 16th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Tamil journalist Ayyathurai Nadesan, who was gunned down in 2008. The vigil, organized by Sri Lankan media unions and human rights groups, served both as a remembrance and a call for justice in a country where impunity for crimes against journalists remains alarmingly high.

Nadesan, known for his fearless reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and civil conflict in Sri Lanka’s northeast, was murdered in Batticaloa. Despite local and international pressure, successive governments have failed to conduct a thorough investigation or prosecute those responsible. His case is one of dozens involving slain or disappeared journalists in Sri Lanka, where accountability remains elusive.

At the event, participants lit candles and held placards demanding justice for Nadesan and others. Speakers condemned the lack of political will to address attacks on media workers and called for urgent reforms to protect press freedom. Among the demands were a full, transparent investigation into Nadesan’s death, the repeal of the repressive Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the creation of an independent media commission to monitor and safeguard journalists’ rights.

The protest also highlighted ongoing threats facing journalists in Sri Lanka. Media professionals continue to face surveillance, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and legal harassment, particularly when reporting on sensitive political or ethnic issues. Although the country formally upholds freedom of expression, activists argue that enforcement is weak and selective.

Over 60 media organizations and trade unions issued a joint statement urging the Sri Lankan government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to media freedom. They warned that without justice in past cases like Nadesan’s, current and future journalists will remain vulnerable.

The vigil served as a powerful reminder that a democratic society cannot function without a free and protected press. As Sri Lanka confronts its legacy of violence and censorship, the demand for justice and accountability grows louder, insisting that silence and impunity must not be the final verdict for the country’s truth-tellers.