AG wants CJ to appoint Trial-at-Bar for Eknaligoda case

Saturday, 10 August 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Attorney General has requested the Chief Justice appoint a Trial-at-Bar at the Homagama High Court to hear the case on the abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Prageeth Eknaligoda

The AG’s letter noted that in terms of Section 450(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No. 15 of 1979, as amended by Act No. 21 of 1988, information is exhibited to the High Court of Homagama in respect of the commission of offences, including those punishable under Section 102, 113(A), 356, 140, 146, 32, 355 and 296 of the Penal Code in respect of conspiracy, unlawful assembly, abduction and murder of Prageeth Ranjan Bandara Eknaligoda and aiding and abetting the same.

The letter further states that with regard to the nature of the offences; the circumstances relating to the commission the offences; and the complex nature of the available evidence, such information is exhibited before the High Court of Homagama with the view of imploring the Chief Justice that a Trial-at-Bar would be in the interest of justice.

Furthermore, in terms of Section 450(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Code Act read with Section 12(2) of the Judicature Act, as amended, the Attorney General requests that the Chief Justice appoint three judges of the High Court to constitute a High Court-at-Bar for the trial of the accused on charges contained in the said information.