The Free Media Movement has raised serious concerns over the legal opinion provided by the Attorney General to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the possibility of releasing three suspects linked to the murder of Lasantha Wickremetunga.
On January 27, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the CID Director that legal proceedings would not continue against three key suspects in the case: former Army Intelligence Officer Premananda Udalagama, former Mt. Lavinia Crimes OIC Tissasiri Sugathapala, and former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara.
Issuing a press release, the Free Media Movement said that this shocking move raises serious concerns about “accountability and the rule of law,” adding that it is an attempt to legalize impunity.
The statement further said;
“One of the core promises made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) government was to uphold the rule of law and deliver justice for these heinous crimes. Yet, this commitment now stands in question.
On January 8, the 16th anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s killing, Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking at a discussion with the Free Media Movement, solemnly vowed that justice would be served. Allowing the release of suspects in this case would be a blatant betrayal of the President’s pledge and the minister’s assurance.
In this context, it is indefensible for the government to evade accountability by citing that Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe was appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Such justifications are nothing more than an attempt to sidestep responsibility and do not absolve the government of its obligation to deliver justice.
While judicial amnesty does not legally extend to criminals in Sri Lanka, decisions like this create a dangerous precedent, emboldening impunity and undermining the rule of law.
We demand that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government act immediately and decisively to rectify this injustice.
Failure to do so will galvanize all those who seek justice into unified resistance against the government’s actions. The President and his administration must remember that the people entrusted them with power to uphold integrity, not to betray it.”
Protest on Feb 06
In response to the Attorney General’s decision, the Young Journalists’ Association has organized a protest, set to take place opposite the AG’s Department this Thursday at 12 noon.
The group is demanding transparency in the handling of the case and has called for the resignation of AG Parinda Ranasinghe.
Protest organizers have vowed to continue pressuring the authorities until justice is served for Wickrematunge, whose assassination remains an enduring symbol of the dangers faced by journalists in the country.
(The Leader)
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