Media Unions Condemn AG’s Instructions to Free Suspects in Lasantha Murder Case

Sri Lankan media unions have strongly condemned the Attorney General’s decision to halt legal proceedings against three security force members accused in the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to release Prem Ananda Udalagama, Don Thissasiri Sugathapala, and Prasanna Nanayakkara from the case.

The move has sparked outrage among media organizations, who view it as yet another attempt to shield those responsible for crimes against journalists. The Sri Lanka Young Journalists Association (YJA) has announced a protest in front of the Attorney General’s Department on 6 February under the theme, “The Attorney General who protects criminals must go home.”

Media organizations, including the Sri Lanka Working Journalists’ Association (SLWJA) and the Free Media Movement (FMM), have condemned the decision, calling it a blatant betrayal of promises to uphold the rule of law.

For years, Sri Lanka has grappled with a culture of impunity for attacks on journalists. January has long been marked as “Black January” in remembrance of the wave of violence against media professionals. The decision to release the suspects in Wickrematunge’s murder, one of the most high-profile cases, has raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to justice, the SLWJA said in a statement.

“The Attorney General’s decision to drop charges against key suspects in Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder is an insult to press freedom and justice in Sri Lanka. This move reinforces a culture of impunity and signals to perpetrators that they can act without consequence,” the statement said.

The SLWJA pointed out that the timing of the Attorney General’s decision has fueled speculation that it was influenced by political pressure. There is growing concern that the recommendation aligns with requests from associations of retired security force members who backed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his election campaign. If true, this would signal a dangerous precedent where judicial decisions are shaped by political considerations rather than evidence and due process.

President Dissanayake and his administration had pledged to hold perpetrators of media-related crimes accountable. On 8 January, during a discussion marking the anniversary of Wickrematunge’s assassination, Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring justice. However, the Attorney General’s latest move casts doubt on these assurances, the FMM said.

The FMM rejected any attempts by the government to deflect responsibility by arguing that the Attorney General was appointed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe. They insist that the current administration cannot wash its hands of the matter and must act decisively to reverse this decision.

“Legalizing impunity for crimes against journalists only emboldens those who seek to silence the press,” the Free Media Movement stated. “This government must prove its commitment to justice by ensuring that those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable.”

The decision to halt prosecution not only denies justice for Wickrematunge but also sets a precedent that emboldens those who seek to silence journalists. The Free Media Movement has warned that such actions serve to legitimize impunity and undermine public trust in Sri Lanka’s legal system.