The Attorney General informed the court today (16) that the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Shani Abeysekara, has been named as a witness in the case related to the abduction and murder of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.
Mr. Abeysekara has been named as the 109th witness in the case.
This announcement was made when the case was taken up for hearing before a permanent three-member High Court bench comprising Justices Dr. Namal Balalle, Mahesh Weeraman, and Sujeewa Nissanka.
The case, filed by the Attorney General against nine Army Intelligence officers – including the former Commanding Officer of the Giritale Army Camp, retired Brigadier Shammi Kumararatne – involves several charges related to the abduction and disappearance of Prageeth Eknaligoda. The case was re-called today, and Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera conducted further examination of the evidence.
Testimonies were recorded from scriptwriter and drama director Vasantha Kumara, former LTTE member Shivakumar, and retired army soldier Sampath Kumara Weeratunga.
After the evidence was recorded, Upul Kumarapperuma, who appeared for the aggrieved party, informed the court that he had previously requested the Attorney General to name Shani Abeysekara, who had been the Chief Investigating Officer in this case since 2015, as a witness for the prosecution.
He stated that he made this request on November 29, 2022, and that the then Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris had informed him it would be considered.
Responding today, Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Perera confirmed that Shani Abeysekara has now been named as the 109th witness for the prosecution.
