Reliable sources at the Attorney General’s (AG) Department have clarified that the AG has not withdrawn his advice letter, issued on January 27, 2025, which discharged three suspects linked to the abduction of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge’s driver and the disappearance of his field notebook.
Contrary to media reports suggesting a reversal of this decision, sources firmly denied any such withdrawal. However, they emphasized that the AG had informed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) that there were no restrictions on filing indictments against the suspects if new evidence emerged.
The controversy stems from allegations that AG Parinda Ranasinghe had initially decided to discharge three individuals—former military intelligence officer Premananda Udalagama, former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Prasanna Nanayakkara, and Police Inspector Sugathapala—who were implicated in obstructing investigations into Wickrematunge’s assassination.
In the letter dated January 27, AG Ranasinghe reportedly directed the CID to inform the Mount Lavinia Magistrate of his decision not to proceed with the case and to submit a report within two weeks. However, the CID resisted compliance, arguing that proper legal procedures were not followed and stressing that the AG lacked the authority to discharge suspects without consulting investigative reports.
The CID reportedly submitted a detailed rebuttal, insisting that the discharge was premature as the investigation had not been completed.
The three suspects in question were tied to serious allegations:
- Udalagama was accused of abducting and threatening Wickrematunge’s driver to prevent him from implicating the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) in the assassination.
- Nanayakkara was arrested in 2018 for allegedly suppressing critical evidence related to the murder and was later released on bail.
- Investigators have pointed to missing evidence, including Wickrematunge’s field notebook, which was last handled by Nanayakkara and subsequently disappeared after being transferred to the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID). Copies of key police records resurfaced years later, revealing attempts to conceal crucial findings.
Following the AG’s decision, Wickrematunge’s daughter, Ahimsa, called for his impeachment, accusing him of abuse of power and obstructing justice in her father’s murder case. The controversy gained traction at the highest levels of government, prompting intense debate over prosecutorial independence and alleged political interference.
In response, the Legal Officers’ Association issued a strong statement defending the AG, asserting that they would resist any efforts to remove him from office. However, internal divisions emerged as the AG reportedly instructed the CID that fresh material could still be considered for potential indictments.
