-By Legal Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -26.Jan.2025, 11.30 PM) In a tale worthy of a courtroom drama, a senior female official from Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department made a stunning admission: countless investigative files on corruption, murders, bribery, and money laundering by politicians were deliberately hidden. Not out of negligence, but as a calculated strategy to safeguard justice until a credible government—like the National People’s Power (NPP)—came to power.
This bold revelation underscores the challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s legal system in recent years, where political interference, cronyism, and threats to the judiciary made holding powerful individuals accountable nearly impossible. But now, as the tide turns and the judiciary operates with newfound willpower, these hidden files may finally see the light of day, unleashing a wave of accountability that could redefine the nation’s political and legal landscape.
The Attorney General’s Department, tasked with prosecuting crimes and defending the rule of law, has long operated under political pressure. Under previous governments, officials often witnessed high-profile cases being dismissed, delayed, or manipulated.
“Files on corruption, murders, and bribery were essentially being thrown into the shredder of political influence,” the anonymous official confessed. “We knew the evidence would either vanish, be diluted, or be weaponized for political gains.”
In response, courageous officials decided to hide key files. Their reasoning? Waiting for a government that respected judicial independence, free from the grip of corruption. "Justice delayed, in this case, wasn’t justice denied—it was justice preserved," the official quipped with a steely resolve.
The names in these hidden files read like a who’s who of Sri Lankan politics. Ministers who wielded enormous power under successive regimes are now in the crosshairs, thanks to the foresight of these officials.
One of the most prominent names is Prasanna Ranatunga, a former minister accused of wielding undue influence to suppress investigations into his alleged corruption. Despite leveraging connections with former presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Ranil Wickremesinghe, his tactics couldn’t erase the evidence. Now, with those files resurfacing, the cases against him can move forward.
S.B. Dissanayake, another prominent figure, is reportedly implicated in bribery and other scandals. Hidden files are said to detail his role in siphoning public funds and exploiting government projects for personal gain.
Then there’s Nimal Lanza, whose alleged involvement in money laundering and racketeering could rival the most brazen political scandals.
Even Ranil Wickremesinghe, often perceived as a shrewd politician, isn’t spared. Files reportedly contain evidence of questionable financial dealings and decisions that benefited close allies while compromising the public interest.
For years, Sri Lanka’s judiciary was shackled by political interference. Judges faced intimidation, promotions were tied to loyalty rather than merit, and high-profile cases conveniently disappeared. But with the emergence of a more credible government, the judiciary now operates with an independence not seen in decades.
“This is a momentous shift,” said a Colombo-based legal expert. “We’re seeing cases being brought forward without fear of repercussions. The days of the powerful escaping justice are numbered.”
The courageous move by Attorney General officials to safeguard evidence was a masterstroke. By hiding the files, they ensured that vital evidence remained untarnished, waiting for the right moment to strike.
With these files now surfacing, the courts are bracing for what has been dubbed a “medical round of cases.” The metaphor is apt: just as doctors triage patients, the judiciary will now triage these cases, prioritizing the most egregious offenses while working through a backlog of allegations.
The return of these hidden files also raises an intriguing question: will the judiciary finally pursue high-ranking figures with the same vigor as lesser-known offenders? Legal experts are optimistic.
“The NPP government’s credibility and the judiciary’s resolve will be tested, but the people are watching,” said a former magistrate.
The allegations of corruption, bribery, and racketeering underscore a broader issue: Sri Lanka’s political culture has long enabled impunity. Politicians used their influence to manipulate the judiciary, suppress dissent, and silence whistleblowers.
For instance, when Prasanna Ranatunga’s case first came to light, he allegedly used his connections with multiple presidents to stall proceedings. Reports suggest that he even attempted to negotiate settlements with judges, a move that speaks volumes about the state of the judiciary at the time.
Yet, the Attorney General’s Department refused to yield. “We played the long game,” the official explained. “It wasn’t easy, but we knew justice would prevail when the right government came into power.”
The hidden files are more than just documents; they are symbols of a judiciary caught between a rock and a hard place. On one side, the political elite sought to exploit the system for their gain. On the other, brave officials worked behind the scenes to preserve justice for future generations.
It’s a narrative that resonates with Sri Lanka’s public, who have long demanded accountability. The question now is whether the judiciary can rise to the occasion and deliver the justice the nation so desperately needs.
The resurfacing of these files marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s history. For the first time, there’s a genuine possibility of holding the political elite accountable. But the journey ahead won’t be easy.
“The people must remain vigilant,” said the Attorney General official. “Justice isn’t just about punishing the guilty—it’s about ensuring that no one is above the law.”
As the courts prepare to tackle these cases, the nation watches with bated breath. Will this be the beginning of a new era of accountability? Or will the ghosts of political influence resurface to thwart justice once again?
Only time will tell. But for now, the brave decision to hide these files stands as a testament to the resilience of Sri Lanka’s legal system—and a beacon of hope for those who believe in the power of justice.
The Attorney General’s Department’s decision to hide sensitive files may seem unorthodox, but it was a necessary move in a deeply flawed system. By preserving evidence until a credible government took power, they have given Sri Lanka a chance to confront its past and rebuild its future.
As the hidden files come to light, they serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who fight for justice in the face of corruption and impunity. For Sri Lanka, this is a moment of reckoning—and a chance to prove that no one is above the law.
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by (2025-01-26 19:10:06)
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