The investigation into the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga is set to be taken over by a team of investigators, including former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara. This move marks a significant step in reviving one of Sri Lanka’s most high-profile unsolved cases, which had been hindered by political interference in previous years.
Sources indicate that the government is planning to reinstate several experienced investigators who were previously removed from key cases due to political reasons. These officers, including Shani Abeysekara, had been at the forefront of major criminal investigations, including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and high-profile corruption cases, before being sidelined by the previous administration.
The decision to reassign controversial murder investigations to this group of officers suggests a renewed effort to bring justice in cases that have remained stagnant for years. Under the previous government, multiple attempts were made to disrupt and derail the investigation into Lasantha Wickramatunga’s murder, including the removal of key officers, destruction of evidence, and lack of prosecutorial progress. The reopening of the case under a specialized team indicates a potential shift in the government’s stance on unresolved human rights violations and press freedom-related crimes.
Lasantha Wickramatunga, a prominent journalist and editor of The Sunday Leader, was assassinated in broad daylight on January 8, 2009, while driving to work in Attidiya, Colombo. His killing was widely believed to be linked to his investigative reporting on government corruption and human rights abuses during the height of the Sri Lankan civil war. Despite multiple investigations over the years, the case remained largely unsolved, with allegations of cover-ups and political pressure hindering justice.
With the new government signaling a renewed commitment to accountability, placing the case under a trusted investigative team led by Shani Abeysekara may provide an opportunity to unravel the truth behind the assassination. However, the success of the investigation will depend on the extent of political will to ensure a transparent, independent, and fair probe into the murder.
