Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gives evidence in court over the 2011 disappearance of activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan.
COLOMBO — Former President and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave evidence before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with proceedings concerning the alleged abduction and disappearance of political activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan.
Rajapaksa appeared in Colombo and gave evidence to the Jaffna court through a video connection. Proceedings were concluded for the day and the matter was adjourned until 27 November, according to reports from the court.
The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court had earlier directed Rajapaksa to appear before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court and provide testimony remotely. Reports said the arrangement followed consideration of security concerns regarding travel to Jaffna.
Weeraraj and Muruganandan disappeared in the Jaffna area in December 2011, during the period when Rajapaksa served as Defence Secretary.
Their disappearance has remained the subject of legal proceedings and campaigning by relatives and rights activists seeking information about what happened to the two men.
A silent protest was also held outside the Aluthkade court complex on Monday as Rajapaksa arrived to give evidence.
The fact that Rajapaksa gave evidence does not itself establish responsibility for the disappearances. The proceedings remain before the courts, where evidence relating to the case continues to be examined.
The next stage of the proceedings is scheduled for November.
