Lasantha murder case: AG recommends release of three key suspects

5 February 2025 09:08 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

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Colombo, Feb 05 (Daily Mirror) - The Attorney General has provided his legal opinion to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) regarding the possibility of releasing three individuals, including an army intelligence officer and a former DIG, who had been named as suspects in the magisterial inquiry before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.

In his legal advice, outlined in a letter addressed to the CID Director on January 27, 2025, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr) stated that the prosecution does not intend to pursue further legal action against the three suspects: Sergeant Prem Ananda Udalagama, a former sergeant attached to the Army Intelligence Unit; former Crimes Officer-in-Charge of the Mount Lavinia Police, Sub-Inspector Tissa Siri Sugathapala; and retired Senior DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara, in connection with the magisterial inquiry case number B/92/2009.

The three suspects were initially arrested and remanded for allegedly covering up evidence related to the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge. They are currently out on bail.

A copy of the Attorney General's letter has been sent to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court. The Attorney General further instructed the CID to report progress within 14 days after presenting these facts to the Magistrate's Court.

Additionally, Udalagama has been named as a suspect in connection with the 2009 attack on the former Editor of Rivira newspaper, Upali Tennakoon.

Comments - 17

Jude Wednesday, 05 February 2025 09:20 AM

Look no further The Prime suspect is MR

4 71

Ananda Weerasekera Wednesday, 05 February 2025 10:50 AM

...and GR..

1 42

dds Wednesday, 05 February 2025 10:59 AM

Gee Arr to be exact. Had a verdict coming on a case a day or two before LW was done in. Initial reports were also fed by psyop guys to mislead the public. E g.: Many news items called the weapon was a gun - in reality, it was a captive bolt gun that doesn't leave a bullet or anything like that in the body of the victim.

1 32

ICC Wednesday, 05 February 2025 09:31 AM

FOOTPRINT,

1 28

Perera Wednesday, 05 February 2025 09:48 AM

All the Rs, MR, GR, BR are prime suspects.

2 59

A Concerned Citizen Wednesday, 05 February 2025 10:03 AM

At the time of assassination of Lasantha, Secretary of Defense was Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and President was Mahinda Rajapaksa. Lasantha published in his newspaper massive amount of Commission received for purchasing MIG Fighter Planes from Russia. which led to his assassination. Everyone knows who ordered the assassination of Lasantha.

4 107

Nalin S Wednesday, 05 February 2025 10:33 AM

Why can’t NPP gov impeach this corrupt attorney general? He is appointed by joli siya and dancing to the tunes of Rajapaksha’s

2 43

Daham Wednesday, 05 February 2025 11:24 AM

President is helpless. Attorney General is above the citizens and the president.

7 17

A Supporter of Rajapaksas Wednesday, 05 February 2025 11:38 AM

It was GR who got massive commissions for purchase of MIG Fighter Planes and MR who are responsible for assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge. GR and MR had every right to order assassination of Lasantha.

2 23

saman Wednesday, 05 February 2025 11:54 AM

We were watching a TV interview with Gota some time back, where Gota said "who is Lasantha".

1 30

Upulpb Wednesday, 05 February 2025 11:56 AM

AG is playing up and NPP government is sleeping on it. Payback for them will be very heavy

2 27

NV Jen Wednesday, 05 February 2025 12:42 PM

First it was Sarath N Silva who has hidden Mahinda's criminal file records, to enable him to contest for presidency. Now another attorney general is fiddling with truth and justice. All the CID has to do is question these unholy trio that on whose instructions they manipulated evidences.

0 12

BanduXX Wednesday, 05 February 2025 12:46 PM

They are not directly connected to the murder itself as the three suspects were initially arrested and remanded for allegedly covering up evidence related to the murder. That could be a separate charge for a different offense.

0 7

Dev Wednesday, 05 February 2025 01:45 PM

AKD is in MR and GRs pockets, very obvious. Why would you release them? Another big lie by JVP. These idiots will never prosecute anyone big. Easter bombing , can’t see any movement at all , all talk and lies

12 4

mk Wednesday, 05 February 2025 01:47 PM

The time this happened, all of UNP was accusing SF. Now they are silent on SF.

0 10

dinesh Wednesday, 05 February 2025 04:11 PM

what is this AG doing ???? i dont think people can have any trust in him...looks like he is covering up

0 10

Citizen2023 Wednesday, 05 February 2025 05:43 PM

Question AG for what reasons he has to release there trio and if he doesn't prove his verdict with valid reasons he should be sacked immediately. Over to you Minister of Justice.

0 0

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