Sri Lanka, Jan. 26 -- Victor Ivan, the trailblazing founding editor of the Ravaya, a Sinhala-language weekly that championed press freedom and critical journalism in Sri Lanka, is no more. Renowned for his fearless voice, Victor Ivan was a towering figure in Sri Lanka's journalistic sphere, boldly tackling issues of corruption, governance and justice.

Born in Akmeemana, Galle, into a modest background, Victor Ivan's remarkable journey from a radical youth activist to one of Sri Lanka's most respected editors is a testament to his unwavering dedication to truth and social justice. His political awakening came in the tumultuous late 1960s, a period marked by inequality and unrest. Drawn to leftist politics, he became associated with the Ja...