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Raisa Wickrematunge

@raisalw.bsky.social
92 followers 71 following 20 posts

@himalmag.bsky.social www.himalmag.com www.himalmag.com/author/raisa-wickr…

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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
With the war, Pakistan appears to believe that its military might, which is far greater than Afghanistan’s, will force the Taliban to bend. But this calculation ignores a fundamental reality: the Taliban thrive in armed conflict. Hamayon Rastgar writes: ow.ly/LQ4C50YwH7V
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Pakistan’s “open war” on Afghanistan only strengthens the Taliban
This story is published in collaboration with Zan Times. On the night of 16 March, powerful explosions rocked Kabul. Pakistan said it had “successfully carried
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
"Even prior to the cyclone, Malaiyaha Tamils faced poverty, food insecurity and discrimination. Their precarity will only deepen in the aftermath of #CycloneDitwah," Raisa Wickrematunge writes: www.himalmag.com/politics/sri-lanka…
himalmag.com
Cyclone Ditwah and Sri Lanka’s disastrous flood mismanagement
Cyclone Ditwah and Sri Lanka’s disastrous response
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Over a million people have been impacted by flooding and landslides wrought by Cyclone Ditwah. Despite early warnings, the Sri Lankan government was unprepared to respond in a crisis. @raisalw.bsky.social writes www.himalmag.com/politics/sri-lanka…
Rescue team evacuates people on an inflatable raft through floodwaters in front of a store with a large Mega Sale sign.
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Early results as of 4 pm on 14 November show the ruling National Democratic Alliance, which includes India's Bharatiya Janata Party, is headed for a landslide win at Bihar's assembly elections. But bigger questions loom around the result. Sign up to Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Barrah Kunaan writes about Indus Echoes, telling the story of stagnation and decay in Sindh province, mirroring the lack of support for Sindhi films in Pakistan 👇🏼
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
PANEL DISCUSSION: Southasia’s youthquakes - on #GenZprotests in #Nepal, #Bangladesh and #lka. Co-hosted by @romangtm.bsky.social and peace activist Harsh Mander. Sign up to register: bit.ly/4nI9Vsr
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
The Maldives' media control bill, Nepal appoints new energy, finance ministers , India-Pakistan hostility around Asia Cup and more in this edition of Southasia Weekly, out now! bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Nepal has seen mass uprisings in 1990 and 2006. Yet despite calls for political reform, the governments that followed failed to follow through on their promises. Sign up to Southasia Weekly to stay informed: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
#KPSharmaOli's government has killed 19 protestors in a single day after security forces opened fire at youth protests against nepotism and corruption. This is the largest single-day death toll from any public protest in #Nepal's history, writes Pranaya Rana
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Nepal’s K P Oli government has murdered 19 people
This story first appeared in Kalam Weekly. It has been republished with updates and edits. Monday, 8 September, started out optimistic. A Gen Z protest against
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
A string of natural disasters leaves Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India reeling. Read more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 24/08/2025
With looming Trump tariffs, India is being forced to recalibrate relations with China – and Beijing has gained more bargaining power. Sign up to Southasia Weekly to stay informed: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Bangladeshi climate migrants fleeing natural disasters and poverty are met with anti-immigrant rhetoric from BJP and the Hindu right. @soulrestless.bsky.social and Kanika Gupta write
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Climate refugees from Bangladesh face a political storm in India
Bangladeshi climate migrants face political storm in India
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Bihar's electoral roll revision is puzzling, as the Elections Commission had already accepted the rolls for 2024 polls. Reports suggest this could expand to other states like West Bengal. Read more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
The tea estates of South India and Sri Lanka are more than just agricultural or economic sites. They are key historical locations where trade, colonial expansion and labour exploitation converge @avtansa.bsky.social writes
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Languages and labour on tea estates in South India and Sri Lanka: Part 2
Languages and labour on tea estates in South India and Sri Lanka: Part 2
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 05/07/2025
At least 20 mass grave sites have been excavated across Sri Lanka, but forensic investigations have been marred by political interference. Families remain sceptical that there will be meaningful answers. Learn more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Despite promising leads in the case, key suspects were eventually released on bail due to insufficient evidence, after which Sivaram's case has languished unresolved. Letchumanan Thevathiran writes:
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Twenty years without justice for murdered journalist Taraki Sivaram in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan journalists are calling on the government to expedite stalled investigations into the unsolved abduction and murder of Tamil journalist Dharmeratnam “Taraki” Sivaram
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 22/06/2025
Southasia braces for Israel-Iran war, Pakistan army chief's warm welcome in Washington, India illegally deports Muslims at gunpoint and more in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
On 22 May 2008, Noyahr was abducted and brutally tortured by individuals who could not tolerate his fearless and incisive reporting. Shivanthi Fernando writes:
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Will there finally be justice for Sri Lankan journalist Keith Noyahr?
Will there finally be justice for Sri Lankan journalist Keith Noyahr?
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
The obstacles that students in Dungarpur's tribal community in India face are central to "Are you going to school today?", Streaming June 2-9. Sign up: bit.ly/ScreenSoutha...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
India's brutal crackdown disproportionately affects Adivasis caught between the state and the Maoists. Our top story in Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an Ashoka University professor, was arrested for a social media post which asked for the protection of victims of mob-lynching and bulldozer demolitions after the Pahalgam attacks. From Southasia Weekly, our regional roundup: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
🏅🎉 Himal was chosen as a finalist for the 2025 Global Shining Light Awards by the Global Investigative Journalism Network (@gijn.org‬ ) — the prize that honors watchdog journalism in developing or transitioning countries carried out under threat, or in perilous conditions.
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
On 12 May, Bangladesh's Election Commission barred the Awami League from contesting in upcoming national elections. Read about the Awami League ban in the latest edition of Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Kashmiris opposed the Pahalgam attack yet still face the brunt of the fallout @AuqibJaveed writes:
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Kashmiris opposed the Pahalgam attack yet still face the brunt of the fallout
Kashmiris opposed the Pahalgam attack yet still face the brunt of the fallout
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Communal hatred and censorship amid India-Pakistan tensions, Bangladesh former prime minister Khaleda Zia's return to Dhaka and more in Southasia Weekly, out now: bit.ly/HimalNewslet...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
When I pressed him further on the Tamil question, it became clear that Dhammananda’s views, for as much as they depart from those of many Sinhalese, do not always align with the Tamil perspective. Jeevan Ravindran writes:
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One monk’s lonely battle against Sinhala-Buddhist extremism in Sri Lanka
One monk’s battle against extremist Buddhism in Sri Lanka
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
🎉 It's Himal's 38th birthday this May 🎂 and we’re looking for 38 new supporters. For just USD 5 per month, you can be one of 38 special people who step up to help secure the future of independent journalism in Southasia. Click here: buff.ly/3NHN6O1
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
The newly rebuilt Langtang village, after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake. Residents of Langtang fought to return to their homeplace, and rebuilt it themselves when government aid was slow to arrive. Eileen McDougall writes: buff.ly/UvZPAgo.
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How one village forged its own recovery after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake
How one village forged its own recovery after Nepal’s 2015 earthquake
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
On 24 April, at least 26 people were killed after gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam, in India-administered Kashmir. Our top story in Southasia Weekly. Sign up: buff.ly/zZMmuGS
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
This week, the Maldives ratified a bill that barred Israeli passport holders from entering the country. Our top story on Southasia Weekly, our regional roundup. Sign up here: bit.ly/HimalNewslet...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 11/04/2025
Women bear the brunt of extreme heat in Sri Lanka’s war-torn North, Amita Arudpragasam writes
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Women bear the brunt of extreme heat in Sri Lanka’s war-torn North
This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.  TEMPERATURES ARE RISING again. In the first-ever women-run cashew processin
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
In southern Sri Lanka, employees of a garment factory protested after they were told their annual bonus would not be granted due to US tariffs. Our latest story in Southasia Weekly. Sign up: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
A fire at the residence of Delhi High Court judge Yashwant Varma has sparked controversy after a large sum of cash was discovered in an outhouse attached to the premises. Our top story on Southasia Weekly, sign up now: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
"I believe that the system of political patronage that has covered up past violence in #SriLanka remains very much alive." @raisalw.bsky.social wrote about the Lasantha Wickramatunge case in Jan 2025 buff.ly/4OlNqkJ
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Anatomy of a murder investigation – the Lasantha Wickrematunge case
The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the Sri Lankan editor’s murder reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Why I confronted Ranil Wickremesinghe with the Batalanda Commission report during his Al Jazeera interview – and why #SriLanka must face up to the torture, disappearances and human rights abuses of the 1980s JVP insurrection. Frances Harrison writes:
himalmag.com
Ranil Wickremesinghe in the hot seat over Batalanda torture site
WHEN WE STARTED getting messages that the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) website was not working, in the wake of an Al Jazeera interview with th
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Around 69 people have been arrested in connection with communal violence in Nagpur, Maharashtra that sparked over calls to demolish a nearly 300-year-old gravesite of a Mughal emperor from Hindu nationalist groups. Sign up for the newsletter: himalmag.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
On 11 March, the Jaffar Express train was attacked as it was on its way to Peshawar. While militants have repeatedly attacked the Jaffar Express, this is the first time an entire train has been hijacked. Our top story in Southasia Weekly. Sign up: bit.ly/HimalNewslet...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
The Trump administration's policies including foreign aid freezes, tariffs and deportations threaten to erode the US' goodwill across Southasia, and China stands ready to step further in, @amanthap.bsky.social writes:
himalmag.com
Trump’s approach to Southasia bolsters China’s regional sway
Inward looking trade policies, mass deportations and the foreign aid freeze introduced by Donald Trump could see Southasia turn to China as an alternative
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the murder of editor Lasantha Wickramatunge reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in #SriLanka @raisalw.bsky.social writes
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Anatomy of a murder investigation – the Lasantha Wickrematunge case
The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the Sri Lankan editor’s murder reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan rose again this week as security forces from both countries traded fire at the Torkham crossing. Read more in Southasia Weekly: buff.ly/u8ZOSak
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
This week, Myanmar signed a memorandum with Russia to build a port, thermal power plant and oil refinery. Cooperation between the two countries has increased since 2021, despite international condemnation. Out now in Southasia Weekly: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
A new Sri Lankan film on Richard de Zoysa’s death absolves the Ranasinghe Premadasa government’s involvement and tarnishes the legacy of his mother Manorani Saravanamuttu and her long struggle for justice. Vihanga Perera writes www.himalmag.com/culture/rani...
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Over the past week, protests around the death of a 20-year-old Nepali student in Odisha, eastern India have led to heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Nepal. Out now in Southasia Weekly. Sign up here: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
The suspension order came just before Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington on 13 March, with trade, tariffs and immigration key topics on the agenda. From our regional roundup in Southasia Weekly, out every Friday. Sign up: buff.ly/40rTgjN
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 14/02/2025
Sri Lankan Tamil journalist Nimalarajan Mylvaganam, called “the voice of Jaffna” and known for his critical reporting on government-linked paramilitary groups, was shot dead in his home in 2000. His case remains unsolved. 25 years later, his sister hopes for justice www.himalmag.com/politics/sri...
himalmag.com
The wait for justice for Nimalarajan Mylvaganam, murdered Jaffna journalist
The Sri Lankan Tamil journalist Nimalarajan Mylvaganam, called “the voice of Jaffna” and known for his critical reporting on government-linked paramilitary groups, was shot dead in his home in 2000. H...
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Sri Lanka’s LGBTIQA+ community remains undeterred, believing that decriminalisation is inevitable – a matter of when, rather than if. www.himalmag.com/politics/sri...
himalmag.com
The fight to decriminalise same-sex relationships in Sri Lanka
The history of LGBTIQA+ organising and activism in Sri Lanka contains many hard-won victories, but the target of repealing the colonial-era Sections 365 and 365A remains unrealised
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Reposted by Raisa Wickrematunge
Himal Southasian @himalsouthasian.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Nepal’s government is moving to enact new laws to regulate social media. Critics fearing the proposed bill poses a threat to free speech and press freedom. Read more in Southasia Weekly, out every Friday: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters 
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Southasian migrants and refugees are already being impacted by sweeping executive orders by JS President Donald Trump. Our top story in Southasia Weekly. Sign up: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
Cartoon of Donald Trump holding a large net and running around a block of land - for a story about how his executive orders after one week in power are impacting Southasian refugees and migrants
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
A personal essay retracing the murder case of my uncle and former editor of the Sri Lankan newspaper the Sunday Leader, and what it reveals about impunity around journalist killings in Sri Lanka. www.himalmag.com/politics/sri...
himalmag.com
Anatomy of a murder investigation – the Lasantha Wickrematunge case
The delays, denials and obfuscations in the investigation into the Sri Lankan editor’s murder reveals continued impunity around the killing of journalists in Sri Lanka
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Raisa Wickrematunge @raisalw.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Fragile peace in Myanmar as junta signs a China-brokered ceasefire agreement - our top story in Southasia Weekly. Sign up: bit.ly/HimalNewsletters
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