Following widespread public outrage over the Attorney General’s controversial instructions to release three suspects in the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has summoned him to the President’s Office this evening (February 6), Asian Mirror learns.

The President has also called in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers involved in the investigation of the veteran journalist’s murder.

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the CID that Prem Ananda Udalagama, Don Thissasiri Sugathapala, and Prasanna Nanayakkara will no longer be prosecuted and could be released.

The Attorney General’s letter, dated January 27, sent to the CID and the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, has sparked widespread condemnation over the past two days. Delivering justice for journalists who were killed, attacked, and abducted was a key promise of the current government during last year’s elections.