A letter to President Anura..!

The Free Media Movement Foundation has sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday (05) expressing its protest over the letter sent by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe to the Criminal Investigation Department informing that no further legal action will be taken against the three suspects in the Lasantha Wickrematunga murder case and seeking the government's position on the matter.

They have further pointed out that among the promises made to the people by the National People's Power government, implementing the law against these heinous crimes was considered a fundamental issue. The letter is as follows.

05^th January 2025

His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Presidential Secretariat

Colombo 01

Honorable President,

Attorney General’s directive on halting proceedings against three suspects in Lasantha Wickrematunge killing

Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has issued a directive to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), on releasing three suspects implicated in the brutal killing of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, as legal action will not be pursued against them. This directive was formally communicated through an official letter requesting the Magistrate to be informed accordingly.

The assassination of Lasantha Wickrematunge, and the killing of and attacks on several other journalists, took place in the month of January, observed as ‘Black January’ a time of remembrance and a call for justice. The decision to release suspects linked to such a heinous crime, particularly during this significant month, has triggered deep concern and outrage among journalists and the wider public.

Successive governments have made repeated promises to ensure justice for these atrocities but have consistently failed to deliver. However, one of the core pledges of the National People's Power (NPP) government, under your leadership, was to enforce the law against such crimes and uphold justice.

On January 8, the 16th anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s killing, Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa reaffirmed this commitment during a discussion with the Free Media Movement, unequivocally pledging that justice would be served.

While Sri Lanka does not have a legal framework for judicially sanctioned reprieve for criminals, we strongly believe that actions like this set a dangerous legal precedent, further fostering a culture of impunity.

Given this alarming development, we call upon you, as President, and your government to take immediate and decisive action to uphold justice for Lasantha Wickrematunge and all other journalists

who have been murdered or subjected to violence. Your intervention is critical not only to ensure accountability for these crimes but also to protect the integrity and independence of the media in Sri Lanka.

We respectfully urge the government to publicly clarify its stance on this matter and outline the concrete steps it intends to take moving forward.

Yours faithfully,

Sujeewa Senarath                                                    Lasantha de Silva

Chairmen                                                                   General Secretary