Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayathissa said that the government is looking into the Attorney General’s decision to release three suspects in the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.
“The government has no intention of sweeping this under the carpet. We have no intention to set the guilty free. The government will take some time to study this matter and we will do justice by the citizens of this country. We will not dishonour the people’s mandate,” Jayathissa said.
The comments came after the Attorney General’s decision drew strong criticism from media and civil rights activists, who alleged that it is an attempt to protect criminals.
The controversy arose after the Attorney General’s Department said that it would not proceed with legal action against the three suspects in the case.
The Minister responding to concerns raised by journalists on similar incidents, said that delays in certain investigations, are due to certain technical difficulties, and not due to government intervention.
On January 27, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe informed the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that legal proceedings would not continue against three key suspects in the case.
According to the letter, former Army Intelligence Officer Prem Ananda Udalagama, former Mt. Lavinia Crimes OIC SI Tissasiri Sugathapala, and former DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara could be released. (Newswire)