World Press Freedom Prize 2009: Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was assassinated early this year, has been named for the 2009 World Press Freedom Prize by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Jury of 14 professional journalists from around the world had named Mr. Wickrematunge, who was assassinated on January 8. He was the second person, chosen for the award posthumously. Previously Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya who was also killed in 2006, was honored with this prize.

The award will be presented by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura in a ceremony on May 3, World Press Freedom Day which will be celebrated in Doha this year. The award which was created in the year 1997 comprises prize money of USD 25000 and is being presented every year to recognize individuals or groups defending or promoting freedom of expression anywhere in the world, especially if this action puts the individual's life at risk.

The prize money is being given by the Cano and Ottaway family foundations. Guillermo Cano, Colombian newspaper publisher who was also assassinated.