The Sri Lanka Professional Web Journalists Association (PWJA) has strongly condemned the recommendation made by the Attorney General to release three suspects of the Lasantha Wickramatunga murder case.

The PWJA expresses their dismay at such a recommendation instead of bringing perpetrators who killed and harassed journalists in the North, South and East, before justice.

Noting that the AG has also stated that the prosecution does not intend to pursue further legal action against the three suspects, the PWJA further states that this raises serious doubts whether hidden forces that have manipulated governments, are yet again at play.

We are also compelled to rethink whether this is a warning made to free, genuine journalists, the PWJA adds.

The PWJA further reminds the NPP government has a responsibility to look into the AG’s arbitrary move, especially in a backdrop where President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had previously pledged to expedite investigations into several murders.

The PWJA’s complete statement in Sinhala is as follows : 

A protest is to be held opposite the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) headquarters on Friday morning (Feb. 08) against the potential merging of the SJB and the UNP.

The protest urges not to fall into a political trap set by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe by going ahead with the merger.

According to SJB sources, the protest is being organized by MPs Sujeewa Senasinghe and Prasad Siriwardena, along with Charith Abeysinghe.

However, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya – Ranjith Maddumabandara, says that the SJB has the full support of its backbench MPs and rumours claiming otherwise are false.

Noting that only a very small group of people in both parties do not want the two parties to merge for the sake of their own petty interests, Maddumabandara says that the two parties will merge for the sake of the country despite such opposition.

(Source : theleader.lk)

The Colombo High Court has issued a notice on SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa to appear before court on Feb. 18 over the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 70 million related to the ‘Krrish deal.’

Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered to issue notice after considering the indictments filed by the Attorney General.