Ekneligoda abduction case: Prosecution to continue
The case filed against nine Army Intelligence Officers in connection with the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda was yesterday fixed for further trial on October 7 by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.
The case was taken up before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising Colombo High Court Judges Sanjeewa Morayas, Mahesh Weeraman and Damith Thotawatta. Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris appearing on behalf of the Attorney General informed Court that the prosecution intends to continue the case further against the accused.
He further said that the prosecution had named 58 prosecution witnesses in the indictment and three of them had already been summoned before Court.
Accordingly, he sought from Court to issue summons to five prosecution witnesses in the case to appear before Court on the next hearing day to testify.
Considering the facts, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered to issue summons to prosecution witnesses 5, 6, 18, 25 and 26 in the case.
The case was also fixed for further trial on October 7 by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.
The Attorney General had filed indictments, comprising 17 charges under Section 450(4) of Criminal Procedure Act No 15 of 1979 as amended by Act No 21 of 1988 in the High Court against nine army intelligence officers attached to the Giritale Army camp in connection with the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.
The Attorney General had named Lt. Colonel Shammi Kumararatne, R.M.P.K. Rajapaksa alias Nadan, W. W. Priyantha Dilanjan Upasena alias Suresh, S.M. Ravindra Rupasena alias Ranji, Y.M.Chaminda Kumara Abeyratne, S. M. Kanishka Gunaratne, Aiyyasami Balasubramaniyam, D.G.T Prasad Gamage and T.E.R. Pieris as accused in the case for abduction charges.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris and Senior State Counsel Sudarshana de Silva appeared on behalf of the Attorney General. President’s Counsel Anura Maddegoda and PC Anuja Premarathna appeared for the defence.