27 April 2010 08:47 am
A petition has been filed in Court seeking the “release” of missing freelance journalist and cartoonist of Lanka E-News Prageeth Ekniligoda. The Petitioners cited DIG Nandana Manasinghe of the CID, OIC of the Homagama Police, IGP Mahinda Balasooriya and the Attorney General as respondents.
The Court of Appeal today re-fixed for support on May 10 the Habeas Corpus application filed for the missing freelance journalist. The petition was filed by his wife Mrs K.M.S.P.Ekniligoda and his two children S.S.Bandara Ekniligoda and H.D.Sooriyia Ekniligoda.
The petition was filed requesting a writ order directing the police to produce Prageeth Ekneligoda (50) before the Court of Appeal.
The petition seeks a writ order to be issued to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the DIG of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the OIC of the Homagama Police, who have been named respondents in the petition.
The petition, filed through attorney at law Sunil Watawala states that Prageeth Ekneligoda was a person who acted against the political situation in the country while staying within the legal framework.
The petition points out that after General Sarath Fonseka came forward to contest the recently concluded presidential election, Ekneligoda had supported his presidential bid through the media.
Petition states that Prageeth Ekniligoda is being held under unlawful custody/detention since January 24, 2010 either by and/or with the knowledge of the 1st Respondent DIG Nandana Manasinghe, Homagama OIC and the IGP or anyone and/or more of them for the reasons set out in the petition. (SSS)