Unravelling Eknaligoda's true story:

Rajapaksa's tyranny exposed

by Ranil Wijayapala

The pain and anguish of Sandya, the wife of Prageeth Eknaligoda and his two sons over the loss of a loving husband and an affectionate father will never cease.

The investigation over his disappearance brushed under the carpet for over five years was taken up by the CID as a priority with the change of the political set up in the country following the January presidential election. Though the exact information of the investigations is not in public domain yet the involvement of military intelligence in the heinous crime sends shockwaves to the public.

According to Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara seven personnel linked to the Army Intelligence Unit are in custody. A retired Sergeant Major from the Sri Lanka Army and two rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres who had links to Army Intelligence Units were among the three arrested previously by the CID. Later four serving Amy personnel; two Lieutenant Colonels, a Staff Sergeant and Corporal were questioned by the CID over their involvement in the disappearance.

"Four Army personnel are in CID custody on a two-week detention order issued by the Ministry of Defence", the Police Spokesman said.

Though speculation was rife that the Army would not support the investigations, the four Army personnel were handed over to the CID by the Sri Lanka Army. Army Commander Lt.General Chrishanthe de Silva said the Army will assist the CID to conduct the investigations.

It was based on the statement made by ex- Army Sergeant Major and the two rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres that the CID requested the Sri Lanka Army to hand over the four Army personnel including two Lt. Colonels for questioning. After questioning they were detained by the CID for further interrogation.

According to sources the Army personnel were attached to a camp of the Giritale Army Intelligence Unit where Eknaligoda had been detained following his abduction on January 24 evening while returning from the Lanka-e-news office in Rajagiriya.

Abduction

He had been abducted according to reports by two ex-LTTE combatants who had links to the Army Intelligence Unit and handed over to the Giritale Army camp. It was based on their statements that the CID arrested the ex-Army Sergeant Major and later the four Army intelligence officers.

Whatever the reasons behind the abduction, serious questions are being raised about the conduct of the Army intelligence units, officials and politicians who issued orders for his abduction, especially during election time.

The conduct of such operations in the interest of national security is justifiable before those who want precedence given to national security. However the conduct of such a operation to appease individuals cannot be justified. Many who closely associated with Eknaligoda believed that the booklet 'Family Tree' authored by him was the reason for his abduction. In it, he had exposed the involvement of the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in running the government.

The ex-Army personnel arrested by the CID, according to sources, had revealed that he had questioned Eknaligoda about the booklet after his abduction.

It is regrettable to note the use of State intelligence to supress dissent specially during an election campaign. Politicians and authorities should be open to diverse views and criticism without resorting to means of suppressing public opinion.

However, there are attempts by certain groups to stop the investigation on lame excuses that the conduct of such investigations will expose intelligence secrets.

But they need to realize that investigations of this nature would help put the intelligence units on the right track. Military Spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera told the Sunday Observer that the Sri Lanka Army will fully assist the investigations as there is suspicion about the Army involvement in the disappearance of Eknaligoda.

"We are assisting the investigations because that will be good for the SLA to clear any doubts about the Army intelligence involvement and there will be no implications on the Army by assisting such investigations", he added.

He also said the investigations will not hamper the activities of the Army intelligence units in ensuring national security. "There will be no impact on the intelligence operations since this is only an isolated incident", he added.

According to sources, investigations on Eknaligoda's disappearance will help find other disappearances and assassinations during the Rajapaksa regime since it is being revealed that some gangs operated in the guise of military intelligence in connivance with top defence officials.

Therefore, sources said that top state intelligence officials, Army officials and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa are to be questioned by the CID on Eknaligoda's disappearance.

Huge challenge

However, according to the Police spokesman the CID is faced with a huge challenge in conducting investigations due to information given by the media. "There is a firm request from the CID, not to divulge information to the media until investigations are over as it could hamper the investigations", the Police spokesman added.

The pressure from the media and the family of Eknaligoda to expose the information to the media is because they believe that the investigation will again be hushed up without bringing the culprits to book. However, there are attempts by certain media organisations to direct the investigation on the wrong track and expose personnel information of Ekanaligoda.

Serious attempts should be made to unravel the true story of Eknaligoda's abduction and bring the perpetratos to justice which will be a huge boost to the investigation of many abductions and dissaprearances during the Rajapaksa regime.