The Sri Lankan government has nominated Sonali Samarasinghe, the widow of murdered journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga, for the position of Counsellor at Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.
The nomination comes amid ongoing efforts by the Sri Lankan government to fill key diplomatic posts that have been left vacant for several months. While it is not yet confirmed whether Samarasinghe has accepted the offer, sources within the Foreign Ministry have indicated that the decision to appoint her has already been made and formal procedures for her posting are in progress.
This nomination is seen as a significant move given Samarasinghe’s background as a high-profile journalist and human rights advocate. She was previously the Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader, the newspaper founded by her late husband, Lasantha Wickramatunga, who was known for his investigative journalism exposing corruption and abuses of power. His assassination in 2009 shocked the nation and drew international condemnation, becoming a symbol of the dangers faced by Sri Lankan journalists.
Samarasinghe has also had a long history of legal and media involvement, holding qualifications in law and journalism and previously serving in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions abroad. Following her husband’s death, she lived in exile for her safety and continued her work advocating for human rights and press freedom internationally.
The appointment comes as the government finalizes the list of appointees for Sri Lanka’s heads of missions abroad, a process that began after numerous diplomatic posts were left vacant in December 2024. The nominations are part of a broader effort to revitalize Sri Lanka’s diplomatic presence amid growing international scrutiny over its human rights record and political developments.
While some view Samarasinghe’s appointment as a symbolic effort to acknowledge past injustices against journalists and promote reconciliation, others see the government’s move as a strategic decision aimed at repairing Sri Lanka’s reputation on the international stage. The Permanent Mission to the UN in New York plays a critical role in diplomatic engagement, particularly in matters related to human rights and international accountability, areas where Sri Lanka has faced significant pressure in recent years.
The decision to appoint Samarasinghe also comes at a time when tensions over unresolved cases involving journalists, including her late husband’s murder, remain a contentious issue in domestic politics. Ahimsa Wickremesinghe, the daughter of Lasantha Wickramatunga, recently called for the impeachment of the Attorney General following the recommendation to release three suspects in her father’s murder case. This nomination may be seen by some as a gesture toward addressing grievances, although the government has not directly acknowledged such motivations.
The Foreign Ministry is expected to make an official statement regarding the appointment soon as it continues to finalize high-level diplomatic postings. If confirmed, Sonali Samarasinghe’s new role in New York is expected to focus on enhancing Sri Lanka’s diplomatic representation at the UN and engaging with global institutions on key issues such as human rights, development, and international cooperation.
