Summons served to witnesses of Ekneligoda case

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar today decided to commence the examination of evidence in the case filed against 09 Intelligence Officers, including Lieutenant Colonel Shammi Kumararatne, who was the Commanding Officer of the Giritale Army Camp, on February 20th. They are charged under 17 separate counts for the abduction of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda with the intention of detaining him in an unlawful and secretive manner, and for his death. The court-ordered for summons to be served on the witnesses from the prosecution, Sandhya Ekneligoda, Journalist Nandana Weeraratne, Ex-LTTE member Suresh Kumara alias Murali to be present in court on February 20th, 2020. The 07th accused in the case, Iyasami Balasubramanium, who appeared in court after absconding court, was given a strong warning today (December 18), noting if he fails to comply with the orders given by the court in the future, he would be remanded until the end of the case. Justice Sampath Abeykoon, Sampath Wijeratne and Gihan Kulatunga ordered the warrant issued for his arrest to the recalled and the matter will be taken up again on January 20th, 2020. Sandhya Ekneligoda, wife of Prageeth Ekneligoda stated that their current condition is stressful as they are pressured from society. She added that on social media her children have been harassed and threatened on multiple occasions. She went on to note that some even made serious threats that claiming that he himself would kill Ekneligoda if he was alive and would send her children to where Ekneligoda is now.