Ekneligoda disappearance case judges reject defence objections and order key witness Sumathipala Suresh Kumar to testify again.
The Ekneligoda disappearance case took a significant turn on Friday after a Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered a key prosecution witness to testify again.
The three-judge bench ordered the recall of Sumathipala Suresh Kumar, also known as “Murali.” Prosecutors had named him as the fourth witness in the case concerning journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda’s alleged abduction, enforced disappearance and killing.
Judges Nayana Seneviratne, who chairs the bench, Nalin Hewawasam and Lakmali Hewawasam heard the case on July 24.
Court Rejects Defence Objections
During an earlier hearing, Senior State Counsel Wasantha Perera asked the court to recall Suresh Kumar. He argued that the prosecution needed to record further testimony from the witness before continuing the trial.
Defence lawyers opposed the application and presented extensive submissions against recalling him.
However, after considering arguments from both sides, the three judges unanimously rejected the defence objections. They then granted the Attorney General’s request to call the fourth witness again.
Suresh Kumar, a former LTTE member, had previously appeared as a prosecution witness in the proceedings. Earlier court hearings also examined concerns surrounding his attendance and testimony.
Ekneligoda Disappearance Case Returns in August
The court said it would announce the date for recording Suresh Kumar’s further testimony after the August court vacation.
Meanwhile, the bench scheduled the next hearing for August 7.
The Attorney General filed charges against nine Army intelligence officers under the Penal Code. The indictment concerns the alleged abduction and disappearance of Ekneligoda between January 24 and 27, 2010.
Prosecutors allege that the offences occurred across the Girithale, Habarana and Kottawa areas and involved secretly detaining the journalist.
The accused include former Girithale Army Camp Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Kumara Rathnayake and eight other military intelligence officers. The charges remain allegations, and the court has not reached a verdict.
The Ekneligoda disappearance case remains one of Sri Lanka’s most closely watched journalist-disappearance trials. National and international human rights organisations continue to follow the proceedings as Ekneligoda’s family seeks answers more than 16 years after he vanished.
