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 :