YJA demands inquiry into AG’s directive on Lasantha Wickrematunge case

Thursday, 6 February 2025 04:52 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Young Journalists’ Association (YJA) has called for an immediate investigation into Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe’s directive to discontinue legal proceedings against three key suspects in the 2009 assassination of prominent journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

In a letter dated 27 January 2025, the Attorney General’s Department informed the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of its decision to cease pursuing charges against Army Intelligence Officer Premananda Udalagama, former Mount Lavinia Crimes OIC SI Tissasiri Sugathapala, and former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara. This decision has sparked widespread criticism from media rights activists and civil society groups, who see it as a major setback in the long-running struggle for justice for crimes against journalists.

Lasantha Wickrematunge, the Founder and Editor of The Sunday Leader, was assassinated on 8 January 2009, in a case that has become emblematic of the dangers faced by journalists in Sri Lanka. Despite repeated pledges by successive Governments to deliver justice, the investigation has seen little progress over the years.

Referring to a 2016 parliamentary debate in Parliament, the YJA recalled that current Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had previously been outspoken about the need for justice in cases of murdered and abducted journalists. As an Opposition MP at the time, Dr. Jayatissa had criticised the destruction of evidence following a report presented by then Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayake, detailing 125 attacks on journalists. The Association expressed concern over Dr. Jayatissa’s response on the matter, as well as the absence of any response from the Justice Minister, questioning the Government’s commitment to press freedom and justice.

To express their opposition, the YJA has organised a protest in front of the Attorney General’s Department at 12 noon today, demanding transparency in the decision-making process and accountability for those involved in Wickrematunge’s murder.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) has also issued a statement strongly condemning the Attorney General’s decision to release the three suspects. In its statement, signed by SLWJA President Duminda Sampath, the Association described the move as a deliberate attempt to exonerate key figures in one of Sri Lanka’s most notorious crimes against the press.

The SLWJA further called for accountability from the Attorney General’s Department, the President, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Mass Media, urging the Government to uphold its responsibility to ensure justice for Wickrematunge and other journalists targeted for their work.

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