The Sri Lanka Professional Journalists Association says it has drawn close attention to reports that the Attorney General has recommended, even before the heat of “Black January” has subsided, the release of three members of the security forces, who have been directly or indirectly linked to the allegations so far and arrested on suspicion of the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga, a horrific organized crime that occurred during Black January,

The list of crimes committed against journalists and media institutions in Sri Lanka over the past three decades is a long one. Many of the crimes in that list are known to have been committed by state or non-state organized criminals, many of which have been questioned before the law for a long time. The Sri Lanka Professional Journalists Association also expresses its strong opposition to this decision of the Attorney General under the circumstances where justice is being delayed, the association said in a press release.

The press release further states:

The annual rally called “Black January” organized by Sri Lankan media organizations including the Sri Lankan Journalists’ Association demanding justice for these crimes has been held for several years now. If, under such circumstances, a plan to subvert justice is surreptitiously being implemented by the Attorney General’s Department, we express our strong disgust and opposition to the Attorney General’s Department, the President, the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Mass Media and the entire government.

It is a very serious situation that has arisen in society at this time as to whether the Attorney General’s Department is implementing a recommendation from the President to fulfill the demands made by the associations of retired security forces members who supported the current President during the presidential election to acquit and release members of the security forces who have been accused of crimes committed in the country. It is a matter of great concern if lawlessness continues to prevail in a society where lawlessness reigns, even under a government that has gained the majority of the people to ensure the rule of law.

We urge the current Executive President, who vowed during the presidential election campaign to bring to justice those who are responsible for the serious crimes committed in the country, not to interfere with the power of the country’s independent judiciary to bring to justice those responsible for those unjust crimes.

The Sri Lanka Professional Journalists Association urges the Executive President, the Minister of Justice and all responsible parties to support the establishment of the rule of law in the country by punishing those responsible for the crimes committed against journalists and media institutions, regardless of their rank.