The killing of Sakathevan Nilakshan (25), who was following a course in journalism through the University of Jaffna, only indicates that the guns are still causing havoc. He was one among the group of trainee journalists, who came to Colombo from Jaffna to do their internship at the Sri Lanka School of Journalism. He participated in a work shop at the Tamil media institutions in Colombo and enriched himself in the field.

H returned to Jaffna in the evening of July 29th. He was killed within two days of his arrival in Jaffna. He was killed at his house at Kokuvil, which is situated in what is considered to be a High Security Zone in the Jaffna peninsula, and that too during curfew hours.

The perpetrators of the killing have not been brought to light. The reasons for the killing have not been brought to light. Nilakshan’s killing will also remain a mystery as in the case of the killings of the media men in the past.

7 years ago, on 2000 October 19th, Tamil journalist Nimalarajan was murdered in the same manner. Three years ago, on May 31st, 2004, journalist Nadesan was killed in Batticaloa. Two years ago, journalist ‘Taraki’ Sivaram was killed in Colombo on April 28th, 2005. On July 29th 1990, journalist Atputharaja was killed in Colombo. Journalist Bala Natrajah Aiyar was killed in Colombo on August 15, 2004. In January, 2006, Tamil journalist Suhirtharajan was killed in Trincomalee.

The killings of Tamil journalists have continued for several years. This only shows that there are deliberate efforts to threaten Tamil journalists and to drive them out of their field of journalism through which they serve a great cause.

These are the challenges faced by Tamil journalists in the country. It must be understood by all parties that by killing journalists, you cannot silence them or cripple their services. The pens will continue their role in the society. While we salute the journalists, who have laid down their lives for great cause, we demand that the perpetrators be brought to book.

An English translation of the Editorial in Virakesari, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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