Former LTTE member reveals alleged discussions with missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda in court
A former LTTE member has testified before a three-judge High Court bench that he maintained a close relationship with missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda and had informed senior LTTE figures about their association.
The testimony was given on Friday (October 16) during the trial concerning the abduction and enforced disappearance of Ekneligoda, who went missing in January 2010.
According to court reports, the witness, Sumathipala Suresh Kumar, also known as Murali, told the court that he had maintained a brotherly relationship with Ekneligoda while he was a member of the LTTE.
During cross-examination by defence attorney Asith Siriwardana, Murali said he had shared his wartime experiences with Ekneligoda and had informed senior LTTE figures, including Tamilselvan, Gnanavel and Pottu Amman, about their relationship.
The witness also confirmed that he had previously made a statement concerning a conversation with Ekneligoda at a location in Habarana.
According to his testimony, Ekneligoda had referred to the possibility of changing the country’s leadership by launching a missile at an aircraft carrying then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
However, when questioned further by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera, the witness explained that the comment had been made during a hypothetical discussion about political change following the end of the war.
Murali said he and another individual, identified as Nathan, had been discussing the possibility of living peacefully after the conflict.
He testified that Ekneligoda had responded that although the war had ended, the country’s problems remained unresolved.
When the others suggested that the government could remain in power for another 20 years, Ekneligoda reportedly gave the example of a missile attack on the presidential aircraft to illustrate how quickly political circumstances could change. (Newswire)
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