See below, the full statement as a ‘FMETU Sri Lanka’ issued against the decision of the Attorney General of Sri Lanka to release the accused named in a case related to the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunga.
Media Statement (FMETU)
2025/02/06
Strongly condemn the release of the suspects’ murder of Lasantha by the A. G.!
The Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions expresses its deep condemnation and profound concern over the actions taken by the Attorney General, President’s Counsel Parinda Ranasinghe, to obstruct the investigation into the assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. This includes his written notification to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to release three suspects involved in the case.
Through a letter dated January 27, the Attorney General informed the CID that there was no intention to pursue further legal action against the accused in case number B 92/2009, currently being heard at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. He instructed that this be communicated to the Magistrate, thereby allowing for the release of the suspects. The individuals released as a result of this directive are: Prem Anand Udalagama, Hettiarachchi Don Tissasiri Sugathapala, Vitharana Arachchige Sirimewan Prasanna Nanayakkara
Additionally, the Attorney General’s Department has informed the relevant authorities that within 14 days, the CID should report back to the Magistrate’s Court on the action taken regarding this directive. This development is part of a three-stage process in crimes against journalists like Lasantha Wickrematunge: surveillance of media personnel, execution of the crime, and protection of those who ordered and carried out the crime by derailing investigations. The three individuals being released were directly involved in the effort to obstruct the investigation and shield the real perpetrators.
Among them, Don Tissasiri Sugathapala was the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Crime Division at the Mount Lavinia Police Station at the time of the assassination. Prasanna Nanayakkara was the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of the Mount Lavinia area, while Prem Anand Udalagama was a Staff Sergeant in the Sri Lanka Army.
According to findings by CID investigators, Don Tissasiri Sugathapala initiated the investigation into Lasantha Wickrematunge’s murder. His field notes were recorded under Property Receipt No. 154/09. Out of the 160 pages in Lasantha Wickrematunge’s notebook, 126 pages contained notes written by him in English, including details of the motorcycle registration numbers of the assassins. Sugathapala investigated these motorcycles and identified one in Ja-Ela and another in Boralesgamuwa.
During the investigation, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemanta Adhikari of Mount Lavinia contacted Sugathapala, instructing him to meet with DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara. During this meeting, DIG Nanayakkara allegedly threatened Sugathapala, saying: “Are you trying to get yourself killed by documenting all this? The same thing that happened to Lasantha will happen to you. Don’t you have children? Instead of getting yourself killed, just hand over your notes and notebook to me.” It was also reported in court that Prasanna Nanayakkara had stated that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was aware of the matter.
As a result, crucial evidence—including Lasantha Wickrematunge’s notebook and Sugathapala’s notes—was seized by DIG Nanayakkara, effectively suppressing the investigation. However, in 2018, Sugathapala later submitted photocopies of these destroyed records to the CID and presented evidence to both the CID and the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court regarding the suppression of the investigation.
Furthermore, there is substantial evidence that multiple actions were taken to mislead the investigation. One such instance involved DIG Nanayakkara instructing a medical professional to issue a false statement claiming that Lasantha Wickrematunge was killed by gunshot wounds, despite evidence indicating otherwise. It has been revealed that Nanayakkara also made suspicious phone calls to this doctor, further implicating him in the cover-up.
The only way to identify those who ordered the assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge is through individuals like Prasanna Nanayakkara. By releasing these suspects, the real masterminds behind the murder are also being protected. Prem Anand Udalagama has also been accused of influencing witnesses, among other charges. It is alarming that the current Attorney General, under a government that came to power with a public mandate to hold criminals accountable, is taking steps to ensure impunity in such a serious case. The media community is closely monitoring the developments of the Lasantha Wickrematunge assassination case and strongly demands justice.
Given the Attorney General’s recent actions in various other cases, there is growing public sentiment that he should be removed from his position. If he fails to perform his duties in a fair and impartial manner, we firmly believe that his resignation or dismissal is necessary.
The Federation of Media Workers’ Trade Unions is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and we will be informing the IFJ and other international organizations about this serious development.
Tharindu Uduwaragedara
National Organizer
94 76 434 1621
