Eknaligoda arrests not jeopardising national security – Ruwan

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

The National Government yesterday defended the arrest of military intelligence personnel in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, insisting it would not affect national security in any way.  

The arrest of 11 officers attached to and retired from the military intelligence division in connection with the disappearance of media person Prageeth Eknaligoda will neither jeopardise national security nor will it discourage officers to keep away from their duties, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene told the Parliament yesterday.

According to Minister Wijewardene, out of the four serving officers who were arrested one was released, two out of four retired officers were released, and all three intelligence officers were released. “The secrecy of the intelligence information will not be jeopardised when the intelligence officers are taken into custody. These arrests will not have an impact over the military intelligence operation. The ongoing investigations cannot be compared with the Millennium City incident. What is investigated now is about the murder of a media person. And most importantly those who are taken into custody has some relations with the LTTE,” added Minister Wijewardene.

 In terms of the classified documents taken into custody, the Criminal Investigations Department has conducted the inquiries. “Three serving army personnel are remanded at Magazine Prison under remand orders made by Homagama Magistrate. The two retired army personnel are detained at the fourth floor of the CID. Prison Authorities have been informed to provide special security to the remand army suspects. The CID is responsible for the security of the two persons under their custody,” added Minister.

However, UPFA MP Jayantha Samaraweera said: “We can remember the Millennium City incident where serious damage was made to our intelligence division. Similar damage is now taking place; special files on military intelligence held at Giritale Army Camp are now held at the Criminal Investigations Department. The LTTE had long standing issues with our intelligence.”

Minister of Higher Education and Highways and the Leader of the House of Parliament held that all those who were taken into custody by the Rajapaksa regime and taken to Girithale army camp, were political opponents and the innocent.