AG withdraws recommendations on Lasantha murder suspects

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has withdrawn the recommendations he made on the suspects involved in the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge following a huge uproar.

The Attorney General informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate?s court that that the recommendations he made recently regarding the three suspects, have been withdrawn.

The Attorney General had earlier provided his legal opinion to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the possibility of releasing three individuals, including an army intelligence officer and a former DIG, who had been named as suspects in the magisterial inquiry before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate?s Court in connection with the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

In his legal advice, outlined in a letter addressed to the CID Director on January 27, 2025, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr) stated that the prosecution does not intend to pursue further legal action against the three suspects: Sergeant Prem Ananda Udalagama, a former sergeant attached to the Army Intelligence Unit; former Crimes Officer-in-Charge of the Mount Lavinia Police, Sub-Inspector Tissa Siri Sugathapala; and retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara, in connection with the magisterial inquiry case number B/92/2009, Daily Mirror had reported.

The Government had later decided to review the opinion of the Attorney General (AG) related to the investigations.

Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa had told reporters the Government had no intention of derailing the investigations into the murder.

He said the Government will review the opinion of the Attorney General and decide the next course of action. (Colombo Gazette)