‘Dharmasiri Lankapeli’, the trade union leader in the media field..

Dear Brother Dharma,

It is difficult to put into words what it has meant to know you—and, more importantly, to have shared such a close and enduring association with you over so many decades.

When I think of you, I think of a comrade, a fighter and, above all, a brother in the truest sense of the word. I salute your unwavering commitment to the journalists’ trade union movement in Sri Lanka and the remarkable leadership with which you built FMETU into a strong and respected voice—not only within the South Asian journalists’ community, but also in the larger global family of the International Federation of Journalists.

Your passion, courage and deep-rooted principles in the fight for press freedom and journalists’ rights put FMETU firmly on our world map. You carried the message of solidarity across shores and borders, believing, as we always have, that an injustice against one journalist is a concern for us all.

Dharma—as I have always addressed you—you take me down memory lane to the many battles we fought together against injustice towards Sri Lankan journalists and the FMETU. There were times when vested interests attempted to undermine, divide or belittle the journalists’ community. But you never backed down. You stood your ground and fought with every ounce of your strength. Compromise was never in our vocabulary; nor was surrender.

The Indian Journalists Union will always cherish the sustained campaign we undertook together against the injustices perpetrated by vested interests within the IFJ regional body. Those were not always easy times, but they forged a bond between us that went far beyond organisational affiliations. We stood together as members of one family, united by a common conviction and an unshakeable belief in solidarity.

That, perhaps, is what I will remember most—the friendship, the camaraderie and the sense that, whatever the odds, we were never alone in the fight.

I sincerely hope that FMETU and the other journalists’ trade unions in Sri Lanka will recognise and honour the immense contribution you have made over the decades to safeguarding democracy, defending press freedom and protecting the rights and safety of journalists. You have consistently stood for the principle that the media, as the watchdog of democracy, must never compromise on its fundamental responsibilities.

The struggle you led for healthy media traditions, press freedom and journalists’ safety must continue. And I have no doubt that your long-term vision, your convictions and the values you have upheld will inspire the next generation of journalists’ trade unionists to carry that struggle forward.

For we have always believed that solidarity is our greatest strength—the means by which we achieve our goals, defend our profession and hold the powers that be accountable.

Brother Dharma, I salute not just your leadership, but the courage behind it; not just your achievements, but the principles that guided them.

I salute your commandership. I salute the fighter in you. And, above all, I salute the brother and comrade you have been to me.

May your legacy of solidarity, courage and conviction continue to guide the journalists’ movement in Sri Lanka and beyond.

With warmest fraternal regards and solidarity,

Sabina Inderjit,
Former Vice President, IFJ