Lasantha’s daughter writes to PM accusing AG of abusing power

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has written to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya accusing the Attorney General of gross abuse of power in connection with the criminal proceedings on the assassination of her father.

In her letter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge called for the impeachment of Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe for gross abuse of power and gross neglect of duty in connection with the criminal proceedings on the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge

“I write with grave concern about the action taken last week by the Attorney General, Mr. Parinda Ranasinghe, to discharge three individuals who had been named as suspects in= Mount Lavinia Magistrates Court Case Number B 92/2009, the inquiry into the assassination of my father, Lasantha Wickrematunge. I am also grateful to your government for its swift announcement that it will review the decision despite the political risks stemming from the NPP?s pledge to foster a criminal justice system independent of political interference. However, I fear that the government believes that applying pressure on Mr. Ranasinghe to reverse his decision will be a sufficient solution. The facts of what transpired last week make clear that this decision was no accident,” she said in the letter.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge noted that the actions of the AG was no innocent mistake but is the result of the culture that Ranasinghe has fostered and allowed to flourish in several parts of the Attorney General?s Department ? a culture of nonchalance, callousness, complacency and utter disregard for their duty to victims of crime and the witnesses who risk their lives to protect the integrity of our justice system.

In her lengthy letter, Ahimsa Wickrematunge said that Ranasinghe is no longer fit to serve as Attorney General.

“My family is fortunate that my father?s career and reputation resulted in this matter receiving wide publicity and publish outcry. But if the Attorney General could act so callously in such a high-profile matter, I cannot imagine the anguish suffered by ordinary people who rely on Mr. Ranasinghe to lead the public?s efforts to bring criminals to account,” she said.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge said that she was grateful to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his ceaseless attempts to hold the Attorney General to account.

However, she said it should not be the job of the head of state to brandish a fire extinguisher and chase behind an Attorney General who is running around with a box of matches.

She noted that the Attorney General is responsible to Parliament and the only way to fulfill the government?s pledge to repair the justice system is to impeach him before Parliament and seek his removal from office. (Colombo Gazette)