Legal Officers Condemn Smear Campaign Targeting Attorney General and Department
February 02, Colombo (LNW): The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has voiced strong concern over what it describes as a wave of unfounded personal attacks aimed at Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe (Jnr), PC, and senior officers of the Department while carrying out their official responsibilities.
In a statement issued following a Special General Meeting held on January 29, 2026, the Association said a resolution addressing the matter was adopted unanimously. The resolution notes that the recent spate of hostile commentary appears neither spontaneous nor isolated, but rather part of a deliberate effort to apply pressure on the Attorney General and weaken the institutional independence of the Department.
The Association observed that similar campaigns have surfaced periodically in the past, and warned that social media platforms are increasingly being exploited to manufacture an exaggerated sense of public outrage. Such tactics, it said, risk distorting public perception and eroding confidence in key state institutions.
Legal officers cautioned that sustained attempts to intimidate the Attorney General’s Department could have far-reaching consequences, potentially damaging the rule of law, the administration of justice and the foundations of democratic governance. If allowed to continue unchecked, the Association warned, public trust in the legal system could be severely compromised.
At the same time, the Association expressed appreciation to the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, members of the legal community and members of the public who have publicly defended the Attorney General and the Department. It highlighted the Attorney General’s professional integrity and impartiality, while also drawing attention to the heavy workload managed by the Department despite acute shortages of staff and resources.
The Association called on all stakeholders to take an active role in countering misinformation, noting that persistent personal attacks have a demoralising effect on state counsel and threaten to undermine their ability to serve the public interest effectively.
Reaffirming its full confidence in Attorney General Ranasinghe, the Association underscored its commitment to performing its duties independently, fairly and in strict accordance with the law under his leadership. It also stressed that while the Attorney General, like any public official, is subject to the law, established legal remedies exist for those who are genuinely aggrieved by decisions of the office.
The statement concluded by urging the public to exercise restraint and responsibility online, cautioning against the spread of unverified allegations. Such conduct, the Association said, only fuels misinformation and weakens the independence of the Attorney General’s Office and the broader justice system.
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