KATHMANDU, Jan 9: Unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle Thursday shot and killed the editor of a Sri Lankan newspaper critical of the government, the second violent attack on media this week, The Associated Press (AP) reported from Colombo, Friday morning. BBC, however, said that the gunmen were in more than one motorcycle.
Lasantha Wickramatunga, whose Sunday Leader newspaper has accused President Mahinda Rajapaksa´s government of corruption was shot dead while he was on his way to officem, BBC said. He died from head wounds after nearly three hours of surgery, doctors said.
Correspondents say Wickramatunga had numerous run-ins with the government. Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the president´s powerful brother, is suing the newspaper for defamation.
Media rights groups have accused the government and its supporters of trying to stifle dissent in the war-wracked country by vilifying journalists seen as critical and creating an atmosphere of impunity for those who attack them.
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