Call for Impeachment of AG Over Lasantha murder probe

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of late Lasantha Wickrematunge, has condemned Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe’s decision to discharge key suspects in her father’s assassination case.

Lasantha Wickrematunge, the Editor of The Sunday Leader, was assassinated on 8 January 2009 near the Ratmalana Air Force Base.

It is worth noting that his assassins were never identified. A formal investigation began in 2015, with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) uncovering evidence, including allegations of evidence tampering and witness intimidation. Investigators found that Lasantha’s field notebook, which contained crucial details, was allegedly destroyed.

CID reports indicate that former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara pressured an officer to alter records and surrender the notebook. The CID also uncovered links between Nanayakkara and a Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) who falsely reported that Wickrematunge had died by suicide.

Despite these findings, AG Ranasinghe ruled that there was “no material” supporting claims of evidence destruction.

Ahimsa Wickrematunge criticised this decision and called for accountability. She welcomed the Government’s commitment to reviewing the case but stated that further steps were necessary.

She urged parliament to consider impeachment proceedings against the AG.