Under Pressure From Sirisena, Army Intelligence Officer Involved In Lasantha Murder Released On Bail

October 27, 2016

The independence of the courts appears to have been affected ever since President Maithripala Sirisena launched a verbal attack on the arresting and remanding of army intelligence officers, with even Mount Lavinia Magistrate Mohammed Shahabdeen falling under pressure and releasing Army Intelligence Officer Premananda Udalagama on bail despite his involvement in the assassination of Editor of Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickrematunge.

Sirisena

Udalagama was released on a cash bail of Rs. 50,000 and three sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.

The court order comes just weeks since President Maithripala Sirisena launched a verbal attack against the arresting and remanding of Army Intelligence Officers who have been involved in various criminal activities including being linked to murder.

On October 14, Udalagama was also released on bail by the Gampaha Magistrate Kaweendra Nanayakkara even though he was identified as the culprit who attacked former editor of the Rivira Newspaper, Upali Tennakoon.

In July, the CID arrested Udalagama in connection to the Wickrematunge murder. The Army Intelligence Officer was also identified as the person who abducted Dias, the slain editor’s driver. Udalagama had kidnapped Dias because in his intoxicated state, Dias had gone around making allegations to the effect that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was behind Wickrematunge’s assassination.

Wickrematunge, a strong critic of the government under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was killed in January 2009 while he was on his way to work.

In an article published in the Colombo Telegraph in December 2014, Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of Wickrematunge said, “it is no secret who was behind his death and who gave out the orders. It’s public knowledge. And though I speak from a victim’s standpoint, I am also trying to speak out as a Sri Lankan who is greatly concerned for the welfare of her country. And irrespective of the history, politics and differences my family has had with this current regime, I only want what is best for my country and my people.”

“Even though I lost a father I know I’m just one amongst the hundreds of thousands that lost loved ones to the war. My heart goes out especially to the tamil people who continue to grieve in silence. Its time for us all to have some accountability.”

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