By A Heated Debate on the AG’s Decision – AKD’s Government Under Scrutiny
The chatter at GossipLine is getting hotter by the minute. Over pints of beer and glasses of arrack, the topic of conversation has quickly shifted to the recent decision by the Attorney General (AG) Parinda Ranasinghe to drop charges against three key suspects in the Lasantha Wickrematunge assassination case. This has left many questioning whether President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration is truly living up to its promises of justice and good governance.
Simon Alwathura: “Keep Politics Out of Justice!”
Simon Alwathura, always quick to voice his opinions, kicked things off with a sharp statement: “This is the problem with politics in Sri Lanka. You can’t just have politicians calling the shots in every legal decision. The AG is supposed to be independent. You can’t force him to explain every move to the public, especially when it comes to legal matters that may not be understood by everyone. This is how we end up with a system that isn’t impartial.”
He leaned back, taking a long gulp from his glass. “I know AKD promised justice for Lasantha, but pushing politicians to interfere in legal matters might do more harm than good. There’s a reason we have a separate judicial system,” he added, confident in his defense of legal independence.
Wilson Unuwathura: “This Is Bigger Than Legal Independence!”
Wilson Unuwathura, never one to back down from a debate, wasted no time in shooting back. “Simon, you’re missing the point entirely,” he said, slamming his glass on the table. “The whole reason AKD and the NPP came into power was to fix this mess. They campaigned on a promise to bring justice for Lasantha. Now, we’re seeing a situation where key suspects are walking free. Where’s the accountability?”
He took a breath before continuing. “The AG may be independent, sure, but the President is the head of the government. He can’t just sit by and let the AG make controversial decisions without explaining them to the people. How do we know that there wasn’t political interference? Was AKD even consulted? Was the Minister of Justice? If they knew what was going on and did nothing, that’s a problem. The people deserve transparency.”
The pub went silent for a moment, everyone processing Wilson’s points.
The Real Problem: Trust in the NPP and the President’s Credibility
As the debate picked up again, Simon countered, “But if you’re asking for the President to step in on every legal issue, aren’t you risking turning politics into the judge of all things? If we start politicizing justice, we’ll never get true fairness.”
Wilson shook his head. “It’s not about politicizing; it’s about making sure that this government, which promised to bring justice for Lasantha, doesn’t let us down. If the AG’s decision to drop charges was truly based on legal grounds, why not share it with us? Why are we all left in the dark? The NPP made a clear commitment to uphold the rule of law. If they don’t stick to their word, then what are they really standing for?”
The crowd murmured, some agreeing with Simon’s call for independence of the judiciary, while others leaned toward Wilson’s demand for transparency.
A Concerned Citizen’s Perspective: “The AG’s Actions Raise Red Flags”
Another voice from the corner chimed in, “I voted for AKD because he promised to fight corruption and bring justice, but now I’m wondering if all that talk was just to get votes. How can we trust a government that doesn’t even clarify why a key decision like this was made? Why drop charges against the suspects? What’s really going on behind closed doors?”
As the conversation continued, it became clear that some of the very people who had voted for AKD and the NPP were starting to question the administration’s purity. They’d trusted the promise of justice, but now it seemed like the government’s commitment was being tested. Was the President consulted? Was there a cover-up? These were the burning questions in the air.
Simon’s Final Point: “The AG Shouldn’t Answer to Politics”
Simon, still firm in his stance, offered his final argument: “Let’s be clear—if we start dragging every decision the AG makes into the political spotlight, we’re going to see chaos. Legal decisions need to be based on the law, not on who can shout the loudest in Parliament. The system has to remain impartial.”
Wilson, however, wasn’t ready to let it go: “This is about protecting the legacy of Lasantha, Simon. If we let this slip under the rug, we’re telling the public that justice isn’t for everyone. The AG made a decision that could be flawed, and we need to know why. The government can’t just let this slide.”
The Bottom Line: Will the NPP Hold Itself to the Standards of Good Governance?
As the pub conversation wound down, the debate left more questions than answers. The case of Lasantha Wickrematunge is more than just a legal matter; it’s a litmus test for the NPP’s credibility and commitment to the people. If the government remains silent or fails to explain the AG’s decision, it could cause irreparable damage to their trustworthiness. But if they step up and provide transparency, they could restore some of the faith that’s starting to slip away.
One thing is clear: the question of whether President AKD and his government will stand by their promises of justice for Lasantha will not be forgotten anytime soon. If the Temple of Justice is to remain sacred, it’s time for those in power to answer for their actions and reassure the people that the rule of law still stands—no matter who’s in charge.
