Mr. Anthony Mariyanayagam, a journalist in the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation was shot dead while following a ceremony in Saint Anthony's Church, Vavuniya to broadcast the Catholic midnight mass , to mark the New Year for local station on the night of December 31. As per the Island, according to various witnesses the killers were suspected to be LTTE guerillas.

     Reporters sans Frontiers have written to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga condemning the attack and have requested for a thorough investigation. Also they had asked the President to ensure the safety of all journalists operating in war zones.

     Also the convenor of Prajathanthra Foundation for Freedom of Expression, Mr. Lucien Rajakarunanayake has issued a press release to the Daily News, condemning the murder which was committed by a suspected "pistol squad" cadre of the LTTE. Further, Mr. Rajakarunanayake accused the LTTE for its campaign of terror against journalists who have independent views. "Nor do they have any respect for the sanctity of a place of worship", he had also stated.

     So far the LTTE has not yet claimed responsibility for the murder.

     However, the police and residents of the area are holding the LTTE responsible for this killing, the Daily News said.
     In 1999 four journalists had been killed. Two were killed from the December 18 bomb attack. The other two, Mr. Rohana Kumara the Satana editor, who was believed to have been funded by United National Party members and Mr. A. Nadarajah, editor of the Tamil language weekly Thinamurusu, were shot down by unknown gunmen. The latter was suspected to have been committed by an LTTE cadre.

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