Sunday Times 2
‘Krishanthi’s Footsteps’ book launch
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Veteran Journalist Ratnapala Gamage launched his latest book titled ‘Krishanthi’s Footsteps (Krishanthige Adipare) last week, reflecting on a series of events that took place during the near three-decade conflict.
Additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department Sumathi Dharmawardena, PC, addressing the gathering as guest speaker said the action taken by the government to bring the culprits in the Krishanthi Kumarasamy case was an indication of the commitment as well as the need to ensure justice.
The event took place at the Colombo National Library’s main auditorium with former Lankadeepa Editor Siri Ranasighe as the main guest.
Mr Gamage has presented an analytical report of how schoolgirl Krishanthi Kumarasamy was abducted and raped by a group involving 9 soldiers and subsequently how her family members who came in search too were killed.
Mr Dharmawardena noted that though World War II ended in six years, the conflict in Sri Lanka was drawn out over three decades, and it was not sufficient to deal with crimes committed during the war period through military courts.
He appreciated the service of the then State Counsel Prashanthi Mahindaratne who played a key role in the prosecution.
Ms Mahindaratne, who was present in the audience, responding to an invitation of Journalist Sirimewan Kasthuriaarachchi, who conducted the event, expressed her ideas.
Ms Mahindaratne, who has international experience in prosecution in war crimes in Yugoslavia, noted that a person could be tried for war crimes anywhere in the world.
She said that in the event a country fails to follow its laws, it provides an opportunity for interventions.
Former the Sunday Times Journalist Keith Noyahr also addressed the gathering virtually.
Mr Gamage, who was employed as a journalist for more than two decades, was actively involved in reporting on the conflict while serving at the Lankadeepa newspaper. Currently he lives in Switzerland.
This is the second book by Mr Gamage. The previous book was titled ‘Ranabimaka Panhinda’.
The book contains a couple of chapters in Tamil and English as well.