Investigation Ordered into Leaked Attorney General’s Letter on Lasantha Wickrematunge Case

Leak Raises Questions on Justice and Transparency

Sri Lanka’s Attorney General, Parinda Ranasinghe, has ordered an investigation into the leak of a confidential letter sent to Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya. The letter, which was meant to be presented in court, was leaked beforehand, raising concerns over the integrity of judicial processes and law enforcement transparency.

Attorney General’s Directives on the Case

The leaked document reportedly contained instructions regarding the abduction of Lasantha Wickrematunge’s driver and the destruction of evidence. The Attorney General had earlier advised the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to release three suspects in connection with the case. However, following the leak, he issued new directives to suspend the implementation of those recommendations.

Public and Legal Concerns Over Leak

The leak has sparked widespread discussion about impartiality within the Attorney General’s Department. Some speculate that the letter was deliberately leaked to discredit the department, prompting the Attorney General to launch a formal investigation.

Official Response and Next Steps

The Attorney General has already notified the Acting IGP via telephone and is expected to send an official letter on the matter tomorrow (17). Meanwhile, the CID, which initially received the letter privately, is now under scrutiny for how it was leaked.

Controversy Over Legal Proceedings

On January 27, during a hearing at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, the Attorney General recommended the release of the three suspects due to a lack of sufficient evidence. This recommendation led to public outcry, prompting a discussion between the Attorney General and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the meeting, the Attorney General maintained that there was insufficient evidence to proceed but stated that fresh evidence could lead to new charges.

CID’s Role and Request for Time

The CID had submitted new case files to the Attorney General’s Department last Monday and later requested an extension before implementing the Attorney General’s initial recommendation to release the suspects. Although the CID was legally bound to act within 14 days, the controversy surrounding the case prompted them to seek additional time.

Following this, Senior Additional Solicitor General Rohanta Abeysuriya issued an official letter suspending the release of the three suspects. Reports indicate that two CID officers were handed this letter personally, but it was subsequently leaked, leading to the ongoing controversy.

Broader Implications for Press Freedom and Rule of Law

The case, particularly in relation to the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has drawn significant public attention. The leak has reignited concerns over media freedom, judicial transparency, and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The ongoing investigation into the leak is expected to reveal whether there was an internal breach of confidentiality and whether further legal action will be taken.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya is expected to provide an update on the investigation in the coming days.