To: The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

From: The Undersigned Citizens and Advocates for Justice

I. Preamble

We, the undersigned citizens of Sri Lanka, hereby submit this formal petition to express our profound lack of confidence in the incumbent Attorney General, Mr. Parinda Ranasinghe. The Office of the Attorney General is the cornerstone of the criminal justice system; it must operate with absolute impartiality, independence, and transparency.

Evidence suggests that the current Attorney General has consistently acted in a manner that undermines the Rule of Law, protects political interests, and obstructs the course of justice in matters of grave national importance.

II. Grounds for Removal and Allegations of Misconduct

1. Arbitrary Exercise of Nolle Prosequi and Interference in Criminal Matters

The Attorney General has repeatedly exercised his power to discontinue proceedings in a manner that appears biased toward influential figures:

• The Mahara Prison Massacre: Despite a Magistrate’s explicit finding that the shooting was a deliberate shoot-to-kill action and an order to arrest the responsible officers, the AG revoked the case, citing "protective measures." This is a direct violation of the victims' right to a fair trial.
• The "Navy 11" Abduction Case: The AG removed former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda from the indictment regarding the abduction and disappearance of 11 youths for ransom, despite substantial evidence being on record.
• The Lasantha Wickramatunga Murder: Efforts have been observed to mitigate charges or revoke cases against suspects involved in the 2009 assassination of the renowned journalist.

2. Professional Misconduct and Judicial Censure

In the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster litigation, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka formally observed that the Attorney General had neglected his professional responsibilities. The Court took the extraordinary step of ordering the AG to pay court fees personally—a clear indicator of professional negligence and a failure to protect the state's interests.

3. Political Bias and Selective Prosecution

There is a visible disparity in the AG's speed and vigor regarding prosecution:

• Selective Delays: For over 18 months, the AG’s department has failed to show significant progress in prosecuting high-level corruption cases involving the "Rajapaksa" administration or the masterminds of the Easter Sunday Attacks.
• Persecution of Protesters: Conversely, the AG has been accused of aggressively pursuing and delaying cases against "Galle Face" protesters as a form of political retribution, reflecting the agenda of the previous administration that appointed him.
• Questionable Bail Objections: In the murder case of the late Minister Amarakeerthi Athukorala, the AG attempted to forcefully revoke conditional bail granted by the court, suggesting a departure from standard legal principles in favour of political optics.

4. Irregularity of Appointment

The appointment of Mr. Ranasinghe in July 2024 by the former President was marked by controversy, as he was reportedly fifth in seniority at the time. This bypass of seniority, occurring just before a Presidential election, has created a reasonable apprehension of "political patronage" over "meritocracy."

III. The Demand for Action

The continued tenure of Mr. Parinda Ranasinghe poses a clear and present danger to the integrity of the Sri Lankan legal system. Public confidence in the judiciary cannot be restored while the Chief Law Officer of the State is perceived as a shield for the powerful rather than a sword for justice.

We, therefore, call upon the President of Sri Lanka to:

1. Exercise constitutional authority to initiate the removal of Mr. Parinda Ranasinghe from the office of Attorney General.
2. Appoint a successor based on strict criteria of seniority, proven integrity, and non-partisanship.
3. Ensure an independent audit of all cases recently "revoked" or "discontinued" by the AG’s department to ensure no miscarriage of justice has occurred.

Conclusion

Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. We stand united in demanding an Attorney General who serves the Constitution and the People, not the interests of a political elite.

Sign this petition to demand accountability and the restoration of the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka.