Lasantha Wickrematunge murder investigation (Sri Lanka)
Current status of the Lasantha Wickrematunge murder investigation (Sri Lanka)
The domestic criminal investigation into the 2009 murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge has continued through changing prosecutorial decisions and renewed inquiries. On 3 Jun 2026 the Fort Magistrate's Court barred Rajapaksa and two others - Col. Mohamed Ansar and former intelligence officer Premananda Udalagama - from foreign travel in connection with the investigation. Public reporting reviewed for this record does not establish that Rajapaksa has been indicted for the murder; he should be treated as under investigation, not as charged, unless an indictment or official court record confirms that step.
What’s happened
Travel restriction reported current as of a Sep 2026 Human Rights Watch report; the domestic investigation has not produced a charge against Rajapaksa as of the verification date. This is a separate proceeding from the concluded US civil action (see gotabaya-rajapaksa-wickrematunge-us-civil).
- Court
- Fort Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- Next hearing not confirmed