P. Devakumaran
Body in Jaffna Teaching Hospital mortuary.(Tamilnet)
Died28 May 2008
Navanthurai, Jaffna
Occupation(s)Television Journalist for MTV English, Sirasa TV in Sinhala and Sakthi TV

Paranirupasingam Devakumaran also spelt as Thevakumar was a minority Sri Lankan Tamil Television journalist who reported for the Maharaja Television which operated MTV English, Sirasa TV in Sinhala and Sakthi TV in Tamil in Jaffna.[1] He and his friend Mahendran Varadan were hacked to death in Navanthurai near Jaffna on 28 May 2008 while he was on his way home by the paramilitary EPDP.[2][3][4]

Background

This incident was part of a series of killing, violence, and intimidation against journalists and human rights activists. The killing of journalists have not been investigated leading to conviction of anyone and attacks have continued.[5][4][6] He had married one year prior to his murder.[7]

Incident

P. Devakumaran and Mahenthiran Varathan were returning home in an area under Sri Lankan army control on 15 May 2008 at about 4.00 pm when they were hacked to death and the assailants escaped.[8][9][10][11]

Reaction

Free Media Movement stated that

"Not a single disappearance, abduction or murder of a journalist / media worker has been investigated that has brought those responsible to book. We are fearful that investigations into Devakumaran's murder will also suffer a similar fate", the statement said.

"Devakumaran's death must be investigated urgently, meaningfully and impartially. The repugnant impunity that aids and abets violence against journalists and media personnel must come to an end,"[4]

Devakumaran's wife in a statement stated to journalists from Colombo had said that men of Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), a constituent of ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), were directly involved in her husband’s assassination[3]

References

  1. ↑ "TV journalist killed in Sri Lanka". BBC News Mobile. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. ↑ "Northern and Eastern Provinces, Sri Lanka: Legacy of Conflict". The South Asia Media Solidarity Network. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 "3rd death anniversary of slain journalist Thevakumar observed in Moo'laay". Tamilnet. 30 May 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "TV reporter hacked to death in Jaffna". Daily News & Analysis. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  5. ↑ SRI LANKA: Tamil media caught in ongoing conflict Archived 2010-07-12 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ "Sri Lankan journalist released". BBC News. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "Journalist hacked to death in Jaffna". Free Media Movement. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Press freedom in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate". Committee to Protect Journalists. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Journalist slain in Jaffna". Tamilnet. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "TV journalist killed in Sri Lanka". BBC News. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Un journaliste assassiné à Jaffna". Reporters Without Borders. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
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