By Suranimala –
The shocking letter sent by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jr) has taken centre stage in the news sphere during the last few days. The efforts of some to put pressure on the AG to relinquish his post and the belated start by others to defend him need to be addressed carefully with emphasis on the evidence that has been presented to Magistrates Court in Mt Lavinia, where the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge is heard.
I read carefully, a lengthy two-page spread in a print media newspaper which smacked, nay a naked attempt to whitewash the AG. Yes, the letter in question written by AG Parinda has to be viewed dispassionately but with scrutiny. Let us take the evidence presented by the CID to Mt Lavinia Magistrates Court over the lengthy period it has taken to investigate Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder.
1. Sub Inspector Tissa Sugathapala was the first officer to visit the murder scene.
2. He took the Field Note Book of Lasantha into his custody.
3. He made his notes in the Information Book including the motor cycle numbers on the cover of the note book.
4. He handed over the Note Book having perfected the Production Register.
5. He was ordered to be produced before the DIG of the area, in this case Prasanna Nanayakkara with the Note Book and Information Book.
6. Senior Supt of Police Mt Lavinia Adikari, duly produced SI Sugathapala before DIG Nanayakkara in his office with the relevant documents.
7. DIG Nanayakkara admonishes SI Sugathapala saying “This is Gota’s job, do you also want to get killed?”
8. DIG Nanayakkara takes over the Note Book and orders SI Sugathapala to change his notes about the motorbike numbers.
9. SI Sugathapala takes out the pages in the Information Book where he made his observations including reference to motorbike numbers.
10. He goes to a printing press and gets new blank pages printed to replace the ones taken out.
11. He rewrites his notes without reference to Motorbike numbers.
12. There were other officer’s notes not connected to this case above and below the pages of his note and he gets them to rewrite such.
13. All the above were corroborated and their statements, including the Press person, were recorded by the CID once SSP Shani Abeysekera, ASP Tissera, IP Nishantha Silva took over the investigation from the TID led by SP Wakishta, whose investigation was inferring that the LTTE murdered Lasantha.
14. SP Adhikari confirmed that DIG Nanayakkara took over the Notebook and wanted the IB Notes changed in his statement to the CID.
15. The Attorney General’s Dept ordered the CID to arrest and move to remand SI Sigathapala, SP Adhikari and DIG Nanayakkara for falsifying evidence into the murder of Lasantha.
16. Mt Lavinia Magistrate remanded the officers.
17. AG’s Dept through State Counsel (same as stated later) objected to bail of these officers on a later date too.
18. Pitchai Jesudasan a motor mechanic was arrested together with Army Intel Officer K Piyawansa for using Jesudasan’s ID to take five SIM Cards, which numbers were used for the operation to murder Lasantha.
19. Piyawansa in Court said on two occasions that IP (then) Prasanna Alwis of the TID wanted him to say that Sarath Fonseka killed Lasantha and he would benefit if he did so.
20. The same Prasanna Alwis in 2020 put up a report that IP Sugathapala and DIG Nanayakkara should be acquitted to the AG’s Dept.
21. Then AG Dappula Livera, dismissed this report.
22. Present AG sends the letter stating that the State does not intend further action against three persons. Udalagama, who is accused of abducting Lasantha’s driver and SI Sugathapala and DIG Nanayakkara.
23. These are two unrelated events. The newspaper with a two page report has but three lines about the lack of evidence about the two police officers.
You Decide.
Related posts:
Return Of Prasanna De Alwis & Attorney General In Lasantha Case
Douglas / February 10, 2025
Many, including the Legal Luminaries and the Bar Association, have concluded that the AG cannot be questioned on his decisions and in like manner not answerable to the public.
Is this correct? I don’t think so. AG is a “Public Servant” paid for his services with taxpayers’ money. So, isn’t he RESPONSIBLE and ANSWERABLE? He is. Can he or should be allowed to make his decisions without assigning reasons for making such decisions? That is what the present AG did in making his decision to set free the three persons named in the case before the Magistrate Court. However, later, perhaps facing public outcry, he chose to say-“there is no evidence”. Why didn’t he say that in his first letter dated January 27, 2025, addressed to the Director of CID?
Please note even a decision by a Judge can be questioned/challenged right up to the level of the Supreme Court. So what IMMUNITY has the AG got even above a Judge? Next, even in the case of a judgement given by a Judge, including the Judges of the Highest Court, the SC, in delivering the Judgement gives all the reasons for his/her judgement. So why exclude the AG from that legal requirement?
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nimal fernando / February 10, 2025
The government/investigators/prosecutors ……… are barking up the wrong tree ……….. some crimes are difficult to investigate/prove: so much time has elapsed and evidence destroyed/covered.
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But, there are recent crimes – committed by perpetrators of the earlier crimes – that can be easily proved with the evidence already in hand ……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f7jhMbTKLM
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It doesn’t matter what crime/crimes they are jailed for ……… as long as they go to jail for a lengthy period of time – They got Al Capone for tax-evasion: not for murder or any other bigger crime.
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The guy who paid to become president with these public-funds …… is still walking around as a self proclaimed hero/saviour.
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Names kept well hidden ……. for extremely obvious reasons ……… :))))
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The crimes should be pointed out, in a matter of fact way, for the benefit of the country/people, without naming names ……… the mere mention of a name is a red flag to bulls …….. to think attack is the best defence ……….
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Without beating about the bush some fucker – the bad language is intentional: our culture/society is conditioned to look down on bad-language as vulgar, but considers/condones monumental crimes and murder as acceptable – should be put in jail as soon as possible.
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No time to waste.
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nimal fernando / February 10, 2025
Time Is Tight — Booker T, Ranil, Native & The LM’s …….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50xx1_CbJTI
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SJ / February 10, 2025
D
The AG is not answerable to Parliament, and that makes sense.
But since the Attorney General’s powers derive solely from the law, any ruling by the AG’ can be reviewed by the judiciary and can be challenged in court and overturned subject to the circumstances and legal provisions involved.
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Douglas / February 10, 2025
II – In this particular case Lasantha’s murder, is a case that has been in cold storage for nearly 16 years. The present AG opened it in compliance with a request made ( a few weeks before) by the present President. I am certain that the AG would have been briefed on the present situation of certain investigations that have been opened up by a team appointed by the new appointees of the present Government.
Now in this environment, shouldn’t the AG have the presence of mind and a moral obligation to arrange a consultative meeting with all involved personnel to find out the historical background of a cold stored case (16 years) and also find out if any new findings have emerged before suddenly wake up to a call from the President and fire a letter (very outlandishly worded) and declare that he has decided to set free all the suspects and close the case. To add insult to injury, AG also directs the addressed to initiate action directed and inform the outcome within “14 days”. In my view that is unacceptable behavior in the discharge of responsibilities by a very high official of the State. The PEOPLE for whom he is responsible and accountable have a right to call for disciplining him.
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davidthegood / February 10, 2025
Douglas, Neither AG or any other is above the law of the land. When people hold high responsible positions, their brains and minds swell, making them incapable of being rational in their activities.
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chiv / February 10, 2025
Douglas, luminaries, my foot. This is the same bunch who went with Sarath, Mohan, previous corrupt AG’s and judges, Eva . W ………… etc …………etc. Most of them are corrupt ( just like GMOA, SLMC, customs, police, Civil Servants …….) and few may be in DENIAL. Remember our own Intelligence submitted false reports to police to divert attention from real perpetrators and mastermind of Easter attacks. The whole system is corrupt, criminal , dysfunctional, failed, and bankrupt.
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chiv / February 11, 2025
Reportedly Lanka’s police is establishing a new entity, central crime investigation bureau (CCIB), under Shani as Director and Attorney at Law Thalduwa as DIG ( to seal legal loopholes ). A step in the right direction. As long paid Rajapaksa men are within Dept, no case will progress. This is an opportunity, start fresh, assemble a new group of dedicated , honest staff, under Shani’s leadership, fast tracking investigations into range of crimes, including illegal assets, homicides and organized crimes, financial and commercial crimes, computer/ digital crimes, human trafficking, smuggling, maritime crime as well criminal intelligence and analysis unit. ( Mafia Family is involved in all of the above ) . Some of the cases handled by CID will be handed over to the new bureau.
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Jit / February 10, 2025
You dont have to pose that much of questions.
If you dig into the employment history of the current AG, you will find that:
1. He has been under the NPP/AKD government for 3+ months
2. He had been under M, G and Ranil Rajapaksha governments for 15+ years
Not that hard to sense where his allegiance is.
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Dayan / February 10, 2025
@Douglas – A writ petition to the Court of Appeal under Article 140 of the Constitution is one option. This can be in the form of a Writ of Certiorari to quash an unlawful decision by the Attorney General (AG) or a Writ of Mandamus to compel the AG to act where there is a legal duty to do so.
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A formal complaint can also be made to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Petitions to test how committed the government is to accountability. Since the government holds the power to initiate impeachment proceedings, this route, while rare, could be explored if the misconduct is severe.
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The AG is also a lawyer and a member of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), which means they are bound by professional ethics. In theory, a complaint to BASL is an option, but in practice, BASL may be inclined to favor the AG.
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Dayan / February 10, 2025
The most common legal recourse, however, is under Article 126 of the Constitution, which allows for a Fundamental Rights petition to be filed in the Supreme Court. This could be done by Lasantha Wickrematunge’s family members or any concerned member of the public.
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A lesser-known but temporary measure could involve disciplinary action under public service regulations and department rules, which could potentially suspend the AG from office.
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From a criminal law perspective, Section 388 of the Penal Code (Criminal Breach of Trust) could apply if the AG’s decision results in wrongful benefit to another party. Additionally, if there is evidence of undue influence or corruption, the case could be investigated under the Bribery Act through the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The Code of Criminal Procedure (CPC) also provides avenues to challenge decisions that have led to a miscarriage of justice.
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But the real question is—will anyone, including members of the government, actually pursue legal action against the AG? It’s highly doubtful. As I’ve already pointed out elsewhere, when cases ultimately implicate members of the armed forces and police, the AKD government is unlikely to take action for its own political survival.
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hanchopancha / February 10, 2025
By the procurement of Sonali the wife of Lasatha with a cozy job at the UN Srilanka Mission the present Government of Srilnaka would bring the murder trial of Lasantha to a happy conclusion.
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surath / February 10, 2025
It’s incredible how everybody tries to hide so many things. Legal community should be ashamed of the decades long delays in the system. No point harping about independence of judiciary and other offices such as the AG’s, if the system as a whole fails to deliver justice within a reasonable period of time. Is 15 years reasonable? It’s a no brainer.
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Ajith / February 10, 2025
NPP came to power to clean up the whole system.The people gave full power to clean up the whole system. Even a Sinhalese journalist who was murdered in a day light because he exposed the corruption of the past regime, how he NPP going to number of Tamil Journalists who were murdered in the past by the same regime? NPP have full knowledge about what happened in the past and they cannot keep continue with the same story again and again. People wants action, not to continue with blaming others. They are the government. They have responsibility and accountability. NPP had a simplistic approach which is welcomed by people but they are reluctant to tell the truth and more delays bring more suspicion about what they do.
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SJ / February 10, 2025
“Tamil Journalists who were murdered in the past by the same regime”
Nice of the guy to remember Tamil journalists for whose deaths the GoSL is answerable.
Will he pause a moment to think of the victims of the striped kinds?
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Ajith / February 11, 2025
“Will he pause a moment to think of the victims of the striped kinds?”
What makes it for you take action against striped kinds? Have you still not satisfied even after killing the stripes who surrendered to you in collaboration with USA, China and India? It is you who behind the Special status to Buddhism of 1972 kills Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims? Are you happy now?
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deepthi silva / February 11, 2025
Wijewardena ( RW family) owned Sunday Times is disgraceful and the public must boycott their papers.
Their on journalists were attacked by agents of the State during the Rajapaksa era ( Noyar, Ismail)
There were two crimes, killing of Lasantha .and the attempt to cover up.
During Rajapaksa era ,many government officials competed with each other to do what they thought would please Mahainda, Gota or Basil.
The moral standard in the country was destroyed by the Rajapaksa influence. Ranil also joined them
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chiv / February 12, 2025
DS, absolutely right. Even then two disagreed. I wonder who they are ?
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chiv / February 14, 2025
DS, as soon I said two it went up to four. If you read all comments, except for the one who ran away with his imaginary friends, no one here thinks , Gotha is a non violent SB, who never committed a single crime. Like Gotha, this juvenile too , is scared of his own shadow and sees ghost in every dark corner.
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Lester / February 11, 2025
It’s very strange that LW did not keep a digital record of his notebook. The contents of a physical notebook can also be scanned relatively easily. As a journalist, LW would obviously know all this.
“He made his notes in the Information Book including the motor cycle numbers on the cover of the note book.”
That is the type of info you text the lawyer, not write down in a notebook.
“Pitchai Jesudasan a motor mechanic was arrested together with Army Intel Officer K Piyawansa for using Jesudasan’s ID to take five SIM Cards, which numbers were used for the operation to murder Lasantha.”
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Lester / February 11, 2025
One could infer that those involved in the murder are well-known, but are not being arrested for whatever. I don’t think GR is to blame here. There is an organized conspiracy to blame GR for a series of events, including war crimes and the Easter Attacks. In fact, it was Fonseka who led the total war in 2009 and Fonseka who tried to overthrow the government. Fonseka also paid the Sunday Leader large amounts of money (some of which came from NGO’s) to slander Rajapakse. Even CT admits the “Sunday Leader” is well-known for defamation: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/the-inside-story-sri-lankan-court-orders-frederica-jansz-to-pay-rs-1-m-to-ladduwahetty-2/
Fonseka is the psychopath, not Gotha. Fonseka carried out the “white flag killings.” Ranil said he killed LW.
“”It would also be pertinent to point out that the then army Commander Sarath Fonseka was also harshly criticized in a news story by Lasantha Wickrematunge in the Sunday Leader, a few weeks before Wickrematunge’s murder.”
https://economynext.com/sri-lankas-ex-defence-chief-points-finger-at-fonseka-over-lasantha-killing-9636/
I don’t know about LW, I will not comment on his motives. But I’m sure Jansz had a plan all along to exit the country and claim asylum. Gotha was the excuse, given his bad reputation following LW’s assassination.
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Lester / February 11, 2025
“Ranil said he killed LW.”
Not in the literal sense. He was the mastermind. For Ranil to make such a claim is very, very interesting.
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Lasantha Pethiyagoda / February 11, 2025
Much of the evidence of this daylight murder have been erased or blurred, with various transfers of key investigators. Time has made proof very elusive. criminals have left the country and live quiet lives in other countries, and cannot be repatriated easily. Unfortunately, justice is like street prostitute now. It has to submit to any proposal and suffer abuse at the whim of its clients. Only the NPP is in a unique position to set things up correctly. Delays must not be allowed to deny justice for these crimes.
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Douglas / February 11, 2025
It is reliably learned that the AG has decided to withdraw his letter dated January 27, 2025, addressed to Director CID. Through this letter, AG advised the Director CID to withdraw the indictment against the three accused and inform within 14 days (by filling out a form attached to the said letter) and confirm the action taken as advised.
I appreciate and thank all those who commented here and added their valuable input on the subject of AG’s responsibility and accountability issues. However, there were a few “Thumbs Down” (disagreements) shown against what I discussed. May I tell them: DISSENT MATTERS. So, in the future, when you DISAGREE, please give your opinion on such disagreement. That is what I even expected from AG. Thank you.
This case will continue. Thank you Suranimala for your article.
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chiv / February 12, 2025
Douglas, the case should continue until it’s end. Hardly anyone will disagree with you.
.There is no real people ( Thumbs down ) to offer any meaningful dissent except for the ones you already heard.
Don’t know Tisaranee is male or female ?? Is TG ,is actually Ranil or Chandrika. Who killed Lasantha , Ranil or SF ???
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leelagemalli / February 12, 2025
Dear Readers,
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The role of the Attorney General, the Judiciary, and their relationship to a country’s democracy is essential in maintaining a system of checks and balances, the rule of law, and protecting citizens’ rights.
Attorney General’s Role:
Chief Legal Officer: The Attorney General (AG) is the top law enforcement officer and legal advisor to the government. In many countries, they provide legal opinions to the executive branch, ensure laws are properly enforced, and sometimes oversee public prosecutions.
Guardian of the Constitution: In some nations, the AG has a special responsibility to protect and defend the constitution, ensuring that actions taken by the government comply with constitutional principles. This helps safeguard democracy by ensuring the government does not overstep its legal boundaries.
Independence and Accountability: For democracy to flourish, the Attorney General must be independent of political pressures. While the AG may be a political appointee (such as in the U.S. or India), their role should focus on upholding the law and justice above political considerations.
tbd
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leelagemalli / February 12, 2025
cont.
.Checks on Executive and Legislative Powers: A strong judiciary is a critical counterbalance to the executive and legislative branches of government. Courts can strike down unconstitutional laws or executive actions, ensuring that no branch exceeds its powers, thereby maintaining democratic principles.
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Protecting Fundamental Rights: In a democracy, the judiciary plays a key role in protecting individual rights and freedoms. Courts ensure that laws and policies do not violate citizens’ constitutional rights, which is foundational to democratic governance.
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Connection to Democracy:
Rule of Law: Democracy is deeply rooted in the rule of law, which means that no one, including those in positions of power, is above the law. Both the Attorney General and the judiciary are crucial in ensuring that laws are applied equally and fairly, maintaining this principle.
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Separation of Powers: The democratic principle of the separation of powers requires that the executive, legislative, and judicial branches operate independently. The Attorney General and judiciary act as key institutions within this framework, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.
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chiv / February 12, 2025
LM, you are right. But please tell me, the last one who met these criteria ?? Recently in a conversation, a top most Low and Odor confidently said “any criminal case against Gotha is difficult to prove, because evidences are destroyed and witnesses are either missing or dead.”.
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