The story told by Ranga Dasanayake, Director of the Bribery Commission, for Lasantha's book

Mr. Ranga Dasanayake, Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, states that the true purpose of assassinating senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge was not merely to eliminate one individual, but to deliver a serious warning to other journalists and professionals who attempt to stand up against political authority, corruption, and powerful parties. He points out that behind the assassination was a threatening message to act within traditional frameworks without challenging the whims of the powerful, and not to attempt change.

The Director General of the Bribery Commission made this statement at an event held at the Tharangani Hall of the National Film Corporation, marking the launch of the book 'Nosalunu Nonamunu Lasantha' (Lasantha: Unwavering, Unbent), translated into Sinhala by journalist Kasun Pussewela based on a work written by Raine Wickrematunge, and the screening of the documentary film 'And Then They Came for Me'.

Recalling that such terrifying messages have been constantly disseminated throughout the country's history, targeting individuals who opposed established authorities or irregularities, Mr. Ranga Dissanayake cited the fate of officials like Professor Senaka Bibile and Customs Director Sujith Prasanna Perera as examples. He stated that such attacks targeting one individual cause a severe setback for the entire professional community, and after the assassination of the Customs Director, some officials were even prompted to leave the country, while fear was created among other officials to proceed with investigations. He further explained that in such situations, other professionals, as well as their family members, are prompted to think twice about whether standing up against wrongdoing puts their lives at risk.

Pointing out that the responsibility to defeat this fear created in society through the culture of assassination lies with the entire society, the Director General of the Bribery Commission stated that the assassins' objective was successful because many others became silent after the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge. He emphasized that the tradition of heroes revealing societal irregularities dying prematurely must stop from now on, and while heroes like Lasantha should continue to emerge, it is the ultimate responsibility of society to allow these heroes to triumph without being killed.

Mr. Ranga Dissanayake also stated here that it is not fair to leave the entire burden of seeking justice for those who lost their lives or disappeared due to revealing irregularities solely to their family members. Questioning the years-long solitary struggle of individuals like Raine Wickrematunge, the former wife of Lasantha Wickrematunge, and Sandya Ekneligoda, the wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, he mentioned that while the legal process for criminal cases is ongoing in court, society as a whole must decide whether to remain silent or not to defeat attempts to intimidate whistleblowers.