A highly conspicuous signal has been sent by the Attorney General’s Department, indicating that the investigation into the alleged misuse of LKR 16.6 million in state funds by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is being fast-tracked in line with the political agenda of the current National People’s Power (NPP) government.
The declaration made to the court by the Attorney General’s Department-that the probe is ‘90% complete’—comes as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is set to return from London after recording statements from 50 individuals. This sudden progress announcement has sparked accusations that the goal is not swift justice but a swift political victory.
Political Statements in the Courtroom
The startling percentage was revealed when Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dilipa Peiris moved a motion to lift the travel ban on former Presidential Secretary Saman Ekanayake. ASG Peiris informed the court that the investigation was ‘90% complete’ and that steps would be taken to “file indictments quickly” before the High Court once the investigation concludes.
Critics argue that issuing such a specific numerical statement (90% complete) regarding the progress of a complex, high-profile corruption case in open court is an attempt to exert political influence over the legal process. The statement is seen as a potent political message from the NPP government, signaling its urgent desire for a “triumphant” prosecution against the former President.
The Attorney General’s Double Standard
Adding to the controversy is the apparent contradiction in the Attorney General’s stance. When Ranil Wickremesinghe’s legal team, including the President’s Counsel, met with Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe to inquire about the investigation’s progress, he reportedly stated that a clearer explanation could only be given after the CID team returns from the UK, implying more time was needed.
While Attorney General Ranasinghe privately assures Wickremesinghe’s lawyers that the investigation requires more time to complete, a senior official from the same department, the Additional Solicitor General, publicly tells the court the probe is ‘90% complete’.
This glaring inconsistency is viewed by observers as more than just a procedural difference. It further solidifies accusations that both the CID and the Attorney General’s Department are operating according to the NPP government’s political agenda.
