Journalist Ekneligoda murder case: Suspect granted bail

Prosecution witness, former LTTE member Sumathipala Suresh who was remanded for false testimony in the case over the abduction and murder of journalist   Prageeth Ekneligoda was yesterday ordered to be released on bail subject to file indictment against him before a relevant court by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar.

He was released on two sureties of each Rs. 25 million by the court.

The case was taken up before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar bench comprising Colombo High Court Judges Sanjeewa Morayas, Mahen Weeraman and Damith Thotawatta.

Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera informed the court that the Prosecution intends to file an indictment against prosecution witness Sumathipala Suresh for fabricating and recording false evidence before the court.

After considering the facts, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered to release the witness with two sureties subject to file charges against him.

The case will be taken up again on August 10.

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 Arjun 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.