Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice in long-standing criminal cases. Speaking on Sirasa TV’s Satana program, he emphasized that his government would not allow past crimes to be forgotten with the passage of time.
The President detailed the institutional framework in place for investigations, citing the Criminal Investigations Department, the Attorney General’s Department, and the judiciary. He revealed that approximately 650 key detectives had been transferred and faced travel restrictions during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure. His administration is now working to reinstate these investigators and bring in new officers, though he acknowledged this process has been time-consuming.
Regarding specific cases, Dissanayake addressed several high-profile investigations, including the 2009 assassination of journalist Lasantha Wickremetunge. While acknowledging the challenges of investigating a 16-year-old murder, he assured the public that the case would remain active.
The President also discussed obstacles in other prominent cases. In the Thajudeen murder investigation, a significant setback occurred with the death of the Chief Judicial Medical Officer, a key witness. The Poddala Jayantha case faces similar challenges, with crucial medical documentation having disappeared.
Despite these difficulties, Dissanayake reported progress in the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks investigation and expressed optimism about impending legal action in the Keith Noyahr assault case. Regarding the Wasim Thajudeen investigation, he noted ongoing complications, stating, “We are at a point where statements need to be recorded from several naval officers. However, missing documentation has made it difficult to even identify these officers.”
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