Memorial held in Vavuniya for Tamil journalist Pragas Gnanapragasam

by Velraj
Sep 8, 2021

The Vavuniya Tamil Journalists Association held a memorial for 26-year-old journalist Pragas Gnanapragasam, who died last week after contracting COVID-19.  

Pragas, was an independent journalist writing for magazines and newspapers in the North-East. He also contributed to the Tamil Guardian, as a correspondent based in the North-East, sending updates from the Tamil homeland. After losing his ability to walk at the age of seven due to muscular dystrophy, Pragas stopped going to school in grade 5 but persevered to pursue a career in media. 

Despite being a muscular dystrophy patient, he was reportedly told by officials that he was not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

Earlier this year, Pragas highlighted that vaccinations had not been prioritised for muscular dystrophy patients despite being disproportionately vulnerable to coronavirus.

At the event, a portrait of Pragas was displayed and flowers were laid as tributes. 

Pragas' body was cremated on Monday and memorials were also held in Batticaloa and Kilinochchi. 

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