By. Ashoka Peiris
Today, the court is in a huge dilemma between punishing a criminal and punishing a righteous person. Like the current government, the people should also exercise restraint in what is happening. The reason for this is that it is a good opportunity for the people to have a proper understanding about the judiciary and the government.
On 27 January 2025, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that prosecution would not proceed against the three suspects of the decision to discontinue legal proceedings against three key suspects in the assassination case of senior journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge has sparked a strong backlash from media and civil rights activists, who allege it is an attempt to shield those responsible.
The three suspects who have been named as suspects are former military intelligence officer Sergeant Prem Ananda Udalagama, former Mt.Criminal Division Sub-Inspector Tissa Siri Sugathapala and retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara.
Accordingly, the Attorney General’s letter under Magistrate Investigation Case No. B/92/2009 has also been submitted to the Mt. Magistrate Court.
The three suspects who were initially arrested on charges of concealing evidence related to Wickramatunga murder have been remanded in custody and have now been released on bail.
Human Rights groups, Journalist groups and the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association have condemned the Attorney General’s decision, accusing him of failing to ensure accountability and undermining justice for Wickrematunge, who was assassinated on 8 January 2009.
However, the Attorney General has instructed the CID to report on the case’s progress within 14 days after presenting the latest developments to the Magistrate’s Court.
Meanwhile, in response to these developments, the Union of Young Journalists has organized a protest in front of the Attorney General’s Department this afternoon. The association stated that the protest aims to demand the resignation of the Attorney General, accusing him of protecting criminals rather than ensuring justice.