AG dept. clarifies release of suspects over Lasantha investigation

7 February 2025 09:36 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 32 Bookmark

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Referring to recent reports suggesting that three suspects were released in connection with the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, the Attorney General’s (AG) Department clarified that the decision was related to a separate case involving the abduction of Wickrematunge’s driver.

In a statement, the AG’s Department emphasized that the murder investigation remains ongoing and has not been concluded.

It further explained that the abduction case had been filed under the same case number (92/2009), leading to confusion over the nature of the suspects' discharge.

According to the statement, legal proceedings revealed insufficient evidence to sustain a prosecution against one of the suspects, Prem Ananda Udalagama.

Meanwhile, the two other individuals—Hettiarachchige Don Tissasiri Sugathapala and Vitharana Arachchige Sirimevan Prasanna Nanayakkara—were accused of involvement in the disappearance of a field notebook belonging to Wickrematunge, which allegedly contained registration numbers of motorcycles that followed him before his murder.

Citing procedural lapses and lack of sufficient evidence, the Attorney General decided to discharge all three suspects and refrain from pursuing further legal action, the statement added.