The passing of veteran journalist, founding writer, sub-editor, and patient rights activist Louis Joseph Julian Benedict is an irreplaceable loss to the entire fraternity of journalists and to the country for whose welfare he toiled steadfastly.
He dedicated his time and talent as a scribe to being the voice of the oppressed, using every opportunity that came his way to highlight the unjust treatment meted out to hapless patients by multinational companies—the force behind the pharmaceutical mafia.
Fondly known as Louis, he never caved in to the dictates of his superiors or state authorities, who tried their best to silence him.
The struggles of marginalised communities, including those in the North, East and estate sector were close to his heart.
For him, spirituality meant being one with the downtrodden. He brought the social dimension of spirituality into the charismatic community to which he belonged until his passing away.
He helped those who were reluctant to see beyond the walls of the physical church and community to feel the tears of the impoverished.
The lives of Frs. Oscar Abeyratne, Michael Rodrigo, and Bishop—now Saint—Oscar Romero inspired Louis to change the lenses that had once prevented him from seeing the true God in the sufferings of people.
He joined the renowned The Sun and Weekend newspapers as a sports reporter in 1966. From then on, he served Sri Lankan media for nearly six decades as writer, sub-editor and an unwavering voice for the voiceless.
Louis was the Deputy Editor of The Sunday Times and the President of the People’s Movement for the Rights of Patients (PMRP) at the time of his passing away on Tuesday, April 22.
He is survived by his wife, Marie. He was the son of the late John Emmanuel and Florence Nightingale Benedict; son-in-law of the late Dominic and Rexalene Andradie; brother of the late Dr. George, the late Rienzie, the late Timothy (Elmo), the late Rita, the late Therese, Marie and Rose.
– Lalin Fernandopulle
