Prime Minister assures Ahimsa justice over Lasantha’s murder

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya assured Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of late journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, justice over her father’s murder.

The Prime Minister told Parliament that she had read the letter sent to her by Ahimsa Wickrematunge and will respond to the letter.

“Our government’s position on this incident is very clear. We are ready to deliver justice regarding the murder of Lasantha Wickramathunga, and that was our position in the past. That is our position today as well,” the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is determined to deliver justice and will even consider fresh indictments.

?I can understand Ahinsa’s concerns and the pain she undergoes at this moment. I assure her that we will do everything possible to deliver justice in this matter. We allow the Office of the Attorney General the necessary independence to act on this behalf and follow the necessary legal procedures. We have also discussed extensively with the President in this regard,? the Premier added.

She said that if there is a need to initiate a new investigation or re-gather evidence, actions will be taken towards that end.

“If it is necessary, new cases will be filed and will take every possible legal measure to ensure justice,” the Prime Minister said.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge had 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. (Colombo Gazette)