The Attorney General’s Department has revised the composition of the committee tasked with reviewing the Batalanda Commission Report, which investigates alleged human rights violations committed between 1988 and 1990.
The newly appointed five-member committee is chaired by President’s Counsel Rohantha Abeysuriya and includes:
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Additional Solicitor General Varunika Hettige
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Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera
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Senior State Counsel Jayani Wegodapola
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State Counsel Shakthi Jagodaarachchi
Originally appointed by Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, the committee has been assigned to examine whether the evidence outlined in the 208-page report is sufficient to initiate criminal prosecutions.
In addition, the committee will assess:
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Whether any alleged offenses are statute-barred
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Whether further investigations are necessary
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And, if required, examine supplementary documents to support its findings
According to the AG’s Department, the committee will commence work tomorrow and is expected to conduct a comprehensive and expedited review. A final report will be submitted to the Attorney General upon completion.
The Batalanda Commission Report was recently forwarded to the AG’s Department by the Presidential Secretariat, following directives from the President. The government has stated its intention to act based on the committee’s conclusions.
Public interest in the Batalanda Commission was reignited after former President Ranil Wickremesinghe discussed the issue during an interview on Al Jazeera’s “Head to Head” program aired on March 6.
