LEN - www.lankaenews.com | Another Attempt to Obstruct the Prageeth Eknaligoda Case..!

Another Attempt to Obstruct the Prageeth Eknaligoda Case..!

-By Lanka e News Editorial Team

(Lanka-e-News -29.Dec.2024, 9.10 PM) A YouTube channel has published a dramatic narrative strongly suspected to be an attempt to distort the ongoing trial regarding the abduction and murder of LeN journalist and cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

The new “witness” surfaced nearly 15 years after the incident. Identified as Prasanna Priyashantha, he is reportedly a former officer in the Navy's engineering division now living abroad. However, his account is riddled with inconsistencies:

1. He claims to have heard gunfire near someone presumed to be Prageeth but admits he never actually witnessed the shooting.
2. He states the presumed body of Prageeth was transported by boat to Buffalo Island in Batticaloa but did not see it being buried or thrown into the sea. He only mentions a group carrying digging equipment.
3. He cannot identify the abductors but alleges the shooting occurred inside a naval camp, a claim inconsistent with known military assassination methods.
4. He mentions two names, “Ottu Priyantha” and “Rilwan,” as part of the abduction team. Strangely, both individuals are now deceased, reportedly due to suspicious accidents, while Prasanna remains alive.
5. He expresses sorrow over seeing Prageeth’s wife, Sandhya Eknaligoda, “wandering near temples,” claiming this compelled him to come forward now. Yet, he showed no remorse for 15 years.

These inconsistencies raise serious doubts about his credibility. According to Lanka e News, this new witness is likely part of a conspiracy by the true perpetrators to manipulate public opinion and derail justice.

Established Evidence in the Trial

The investigation into Prageeth Eknaligoda’s case has already made significant progress. Based on compelling evidence, nine suspects have been indicted and are facing trial at the High Court.

To ensure readers are not misled by new distractions, let us revisit the verified facts presented before the court:

1. Key Phone Number from the Abduction Day

The investigation gained momentum due to a phone number, 0770375704, linked to the abductors on January 25, 2010. The call was traced to the Dialog tower at the Giritale army camp the day after the abduction.

2. Evidence of Detention and Murder

Witness accounts confirm that Prageeth was held at the Giritale Army Camp, interrogated, taken to a jungle in Akkaraipattu, and killed. His body was then burned.

Key Witness: Sergeant Major Ran Banda

Ran Banda, a former intelligence sergeant, initially arrested as a suspect, later became a key witness. He testified that he interrogated Prageeth about materials he had written criticizing the Rajapaksa family. He further provided detailed accounts of events at the camp, even drawing maps for investigators.

3. Testimony of Suresh Kumar alias Theivendran

Suresh Kumar orchestrated the abduction and confirmed his involvement in planning the operation. He also provided details about threats he received from the first accused, Brigadier Shammi Kumararatna, to remain silent.

4. Evidence of Burning the Body

Testimonies and records indicate that 30 liters of petrol were taken from the Akkaraipattu Army Camp to burn the body in the jungle.

5. List of Suspects

The accused in this trial include high-ranking military intelligence officers:

Brigadier Shammi Arjuna Kumararatne
W.D. Upasena (Suresh)
R.M.P.K. Rajapaksha (Nathan)
S.M. Ravindra Rupasena (Ranji)
Chaminda Kumara Abeyratne
Kanishka Gunaratne
Ayyaasamy Balasubramaniam
Tharanga Prasad Gamage
T.E.R. Peiris

Reminder to the Public

With such overwhelming evidence already presented, it is vital not to be misled by the fabricated stories of opportunistic individuals. While questions about how the case was handled during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure remain, we believe justice will prevail under the current administration.