Former State Intelligence Chief Suresh Sallay was brought before a three-judge High Court bench as proceedings continued in the long-running case concerning the abduction and enforced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
COLOMBO, October 16, 2026 — Former State Intelligence Service Director Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay was produced before the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar in Colombo on Friday in connection with the ongoing trial over the abduction and enforced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda in January 2010.
Sallay was escorted to court by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under special security arrangements, following steps taken by prosecutors to secure his appearance as a witness.
The proceedings were held before a three-judge bench comprising Presiding Judge Nayana Seneviratne and High Court Judges Nalin Hewawasam and Lakmali Hewawasam.
According to the account of the hearing, Sallay was identified as the 90th witness in the proceedings and indicated his willingness to provide evidence.
The appearance comes as the prosecution continues examining events surrounding Eknaligoda’s disappearance, including the alleged involvement of military intelligence personnel and the handling of official intelligence records.
Court Examines Military Intelligence Records and Procedures
Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera appeared on behalf of the Attorney General during Friday’s proceedings.
The source account states that questioning addressed the management of military intelligence documents, procedures governing military and intelligence operations, and statements previously provided by Sallay to investigators.
These matters are relevant to the prosecution’s efforts to establish the sequence of events surrounding Eknaligoda’s disappearance and determine whether the alleged offences can be proved.
The precise contents of the documents discussed and the answers provided during the hearing have not been independently established from a certified court transcript.
Although Sallay was produced before the court in his capacity as a prospective prosecution witness, the material available does not establish that he completed substantive testimony during Friday’s proceedings.
His appearance as a witness must also be distinguished from the position of the nine military intelligence personnel facing charges in the case.
Being summoned or produced to provide evidence does not, by itself, mean that an individual has been charged in the proceedings.
Fourth Witness Recalled to Give Further Evidence
The court also heard further evidence from Suresh Kumara Sumathipala, also identified in the source material as Sumathipala Suresh Kumara and known by the alias “Murali”.
He had previously appeared as the fourth witness in the trial and was recalled during Friday’s hearing.
Contemporary reporting confirms that Sumathipala provided testimony before the three-judge bench.
His evidence forms part of the ongoing prosecution proceedings against the accused military intelligence personnel.
Details of his testimony, including the specific matters addressed during examination and any cross-examination, have not been established from the material available.
Nine Military Intelligence Personnel Face Charges
The Attorney General instituted proceedings against nine military intelligence personnel, including former Girithale Army Camp Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Kumararatne.
The indictment includes allegations that the accused conspired with unidentified individuals to abduct journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda on or around January 25, 2010, with the intention of secretly detaining him.
The alleged activities concern locations including Girithale, Habarana and Kottawa.
The charges were brought under provisions of Sri Lanka’s Penal Code.
The prosecution’s allegations remain subject to judicial examination, and the accused are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless their guilt is established in court.
Eknaligoda, a journalist and political cartoonist associated with Lanka eNews, disappeared on January 24, 2010, shortly before Sri Lanka’s presidential election.
His disappearance has remained one of the country’s most closely followed cases involving the safety of journalists, alleged enforced disappearances and accountability within State institutions.
The continuing proceedings are intended to determine the criminal responsibility, if any, of those indicted in connection with the alleged abduction.
Eknaligoda Trial to Resume on October 22
Friday’s hearing forms part of a lengthy judicial process examining the circumstances of Eknaligoda’s disappearance more than 16 years ago.
The proceedings involve witness testimony, investigative statements and evidence concerning the activities of military intelligence personnel during the period in question.
Sallay’s appearance provides the prosecution with an opportunity to examine matters relevant to its investigation, although the evidentiary significance of his participation will depend on what is formally placed before the court.
The Attorney General’s case against the nine accused remains ongoing.
Further hearing has been scheduled for October 22, 2026, when the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar is expected to continue examining the evidence.
