Judging by the vast crowds that attended his funeral on Monday, January 12th, and the demonstrations that ensued, it seems that his assassination jolted the conscience of a cross-section of society. Rather reminiscent of another abduction and killing eighteen years ago, that of journalist and actor Richard de Zoysa. He was killed during yet another intolerant regime, and when State forces were battling both the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. Journalist Sivaram’s killing too evoked anger and despair. Neither of those killings however, sparked such an outcry as Lasantha’s did.

The gradual erosion of fundamental rights began with the enshrinement of constitutional changes introduced in the early 1970’s. Yet, Sri Lankan’s have, for the most part shrugged their shoulders and got on with their lives. “If it does not affect me, it does not matter” seems to be the creed that many live by.

Richards killing gave birth to groups such as the Mothers Front and the Free Media Movement; associations which are constantly attacked by those who support corrupt leaders. The brave few, who carry on regardless and call for negotiated solutions and turn the spotlight on the breakdown of law and corrupt deals, are branded unpatriotic.
That is a label pinned on any person or organization (NGO’s in particular) that dares speak on issues other than applauding the war on terror. Such attacks, have oft’ times been led by those who fancy themselves as “professional journalists!”

Richard and Lasantha shared many similarities; they hailed from privileged backgrounds, hobnobbed with the nation’s elite and were English language journalists known both locally and internationally.

Yet, scores of other less known journalists, media rights activists and those affiliated with the profession have been killed, abducted, assaulted and harassed. Just days before Lasantha was killed the MTV/MBC networks was set on fire, as was the Leader Groups press in November 2007. Not even newspaper distributors have been spared. A majority of the incidents took place in the north and the east, and spread southwards as military successes increased. More than fifty such incidents have been recorded both in 2006 and 2007.

Non-media persons too have paid the price for their efforts of safeguarding the rights of civilians and minorities. All of these incidents have been recorded, protested and mourned by a handful of human rights defenders.

The use of violence and censorship to keep the truth from being told is indeed the tools of the cowardly; who live with the mistaken belief that wiping out the “trouble makers” would silence all dissent.

How many more Lasantha’s, Richarads, Keith’s, Namal’s, Raviraj’s, Maheswarans and Tisanayagam’s and Upali’s must it take for Sri Lankan society to awake from its slumber? We’ve stood by and watched while those who hold the reigns of power destroy a once peaceful society. It is time that genuine patriots support the few who are unafraid to call for reform. It is still not too late to work together to ensure that every Sri Lankan feels at home, and make our country the vibrant democracy it used to be.

“No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion and all-round hell- raising remain the true duty of patriots”. -Barbara Ehrenreich, professional pot-stirrer