The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today (13) that the Attorney General has overturned the order to release three suspects linked to the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

The case is scheduled to be called on 30 May.

On 27 January, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the CID that Prem Ananda Udalagama, Don Thissasiri Sugathapala, and Prasanna Nanayakkara would no longer be prosecuted and could be released.

However, the Attorney General’s decision, communicated through a letter to the CID and the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, sparked widespread condemnation over the past two weeks. Delivering justice for journalists who were killed, attacked, and abducted was a key promise of the current government during last year’s elections.