By 
The shocking letter sent by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jr) on January 27, 2025, has reignited controversy surrounding the brutal assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. The AG’s decision to drop charges against three key suspects has been met with outrage, raising questions about the influence of Sri Lanka’s Deep State in obstructing justice.
Columnist Suranimala, in a hard-hitting analysis, dismantles the thinly veiled attempts to exonerate suspects, exposing a pattern of political interference and judicial manipulation. The claim that there is a lack of evidence does not stand up to scrutiny when considering the detailed findings of the CID, Magistrates Court proceedings, and previous rulings by the Attorney General’s Department.
Tampering with Evidence: A Deliberate Cover-Up?
The CID’s long and meticulous investigation into Wickrematunge’s murder unearthed damning evidence that should have been irrefutable.
Sub Inspector Tissa Sugathapala, the first officer at the crime scene, took Lasantha’s Field Note Book into custody and recorded motorcycle numbers in his notes.
He was later summoned before DIG Prasanna Nanayakkara, who allegedly warned him: “This is Gota’s job, do you also want to get killed?”
Under orders, SI Sugathapala removed the pages from the Information Book and had new blank pages printed to rewrite his notes—this time omitting crucial details about the motorcycles.
Multiple officers, including SP Adhikari, corroborated that DIG Nanayakkara took control of the Note Book and ordered the alterations.
The CID, under SSP Shani Abeysekera, investigated this fabrication, leading to the arrests of Sugathapala, Nanayakkara, and Adhikari for falsifying evidence.
Political Collusion and the Role of the Attorney General
Despite overwhelming evidence, the present AG’s ruling appears to erase years of investigative work. Columnist Suranimala underscores the shocking inconsistency:
The Attorney General’s Department previously recommended the arrest and remanding of these officers, acknowledging sufficient evidence.
The Mt. Lavinia Magistrate upheld these findings, remanding the suspects and rejecting bail.
Yet, in 2025, the AG reverses this position, citing the controversial report by Prasanna Alwis, an officer previously accused of fabricating evidence to frame Sarath Fonseka for the murder.
Former AG Dappula de Livera had outright dismissed this report, recognizing its flaws.
The case of Premananda Udalagama, one of the three suspects now freed from prosecution, serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of speaking out.
Udalagama, a former Army intelligence officer, was arrested after Lasanta’s driver, Dias, identified him as his abductor.
This testimony, alongside corroborating evidence, led to Udalagama’s arrest.
Now, the AG’s ruling effectively erases this evidence, clearing Udalagama’s name without trial.
The truth is clear. The evidence is there. Now, it is up to the people to demand justice.
