Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case still ongoing

By T. Farook Thajudeen

When the case into the disappearance of senior journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was taken up at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court, the counsel appearing on behalf of Eknaligoda’s family said he intended calling former Attorney General Mohan Peiris as a witness in the habeas corpus inquiry.

Counsel Chryshmal Warnasooriya appearing with Sonali Wanigabaduge, Supun Wickremeratne and Nalaka Jayasuriya for Eknaligoda, Sanjay Eknaligoda and Harith Eknaligoda told Magistrate T.P.S.A Perera that Pieris had commented about the disappearance of Eknaligoda at the United Nations session in Geneva.

He said as such he wanted Pieris to give evidence at the inquiry into the disappearance of Eknaligoda.

State Counsel Shavendra Wickrama objecting said if the petitioners call witnesses from time to time it would adversely affect the respondents.

He said the petitioners’ counsel were making a submission to call Pieris based on hearsay and not on concrete proof that the former Attorney General commented on the disappearance of Eknaligoda.

Warnasooriya said he made the submission on credible information and further undertook to submit in court a CD containing Pieris’s speech made at the UN session.

The inquiry was put off for 23 January.

The petitioners filed the habeas corpus application in the Court of Appeal citing DIG Nandana Munasinghe, Homagama HQI and former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya as respondents.

The Appeal Court referred the matter to the Homagama Magistrate’s Court for further inquiry.