Prageeth Ekneligoda Case Takes a Step Forward: Witness Identifies Accused in Court
During the trial held at the Homagama High Court regarding the abduction of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, a key witness—Sumathipala Suresh Kumar alias ‘Murali’, a former LTTE member detained at the Giritale 3rd Military Intelligence Corps camp—identified four military officers in open court.
Giving evidence, Suresh Kumar stated that he was held at the Giritale Military Intelligence camp between 2009 and 2013, during which time the first through fourth accused, along with several others, were stationed at the same facility.
The Attorney General had filed indictments in the Homagama High Court against seven accused in connection with the abduction of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda on August 27, 2009. Ekneligoda was initially abducted on August 27, 2009, and later released along the way, before being abducted again and forcibly disappeared on January 24, 2010.
A separate trial concerning his disappearance following the January 24, 2010 abduction is currently underway before a Trial-at-Bar at the Colombo High Court.
Suresh Kumar further testified in court that while being held at the Giritale camp, military officers gave him a mobile phone and instructed him to place calls to specific numbers, including individuals overseas. He revealed that on January 24, 2010, phone calls were also made to Prageeth Ekneligoda.
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