Shani Abeysekara named as witness in Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case

Although Shani Abeysekara was the chief investigating officer and supervised the investigations, he had not been named as a witness in the case  

By Bhagya Silva   

The Attorney General has informed the Colombo Trial-at-Bar Judges Namal Balalle, Mahesh Weeraman, and Sujeewa Nishshanka that the current Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Shani Abeysekara, has been named as a witness in the ongoing case concerning the abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda on January 25, 2010.   

Former commanding officer of the Giritale Army Camp, Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Kumara Ratna, and other 9 members of the Military Intelligence Unit have been named as accused in the case.   

President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma, appearing for the aggrieved party, told the court that although Shani Abeysekara was the chief investigating officer and supervised the investigations, he had not been named as a witness in the case. He reminded the bench that on November 29, 2022, he had requested the court to list Shani Abeysekara as a witness and that Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the prosecution at that time, had assured the court that the request would be considered. However, Shani Abeysekara had not been formally named as a witness.   

Responding to this, Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera, appearing for the prosecution, informed the court that Shani Abeysekara has already been listed as the 109th witness in the case.   

Further making submissions before the court, President’s Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma stated that retired Army Sergeant Ranbanda, who has been named as a witness in the case, had also been designated an adverse witness for giving false testimony before the court. Also he informed the court that, prior to providing such false testimony, the witness had lodged a complaint with the Nikaweratiya Police, claiming that he was under threat.   

Accordingly, President’s Counsel Kumarapperuma urged the court to issue an order directing an investigation into the matter.   

Responding to this, Judge Namal Balalle stated that the court does not have the authority to issue such an order, but noted that if the witness had made a complaint to the relevant authorities, the appropriate institutions have the capacity to conduct the necessary investigations.   

Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera also informed the court that another witness in the case, Sumathipala Suresh, had lodged a complaint with the Victim and Witness Protection Authority regarding threats made against him. As a result, an investigation into that complaint is currently underway.   

He also said that if any witness claims to have been threatened, complaints should be made to the relevant institutions, which are empowered to investigate such matters. The trial was postponed to July 18.