එක්නැළිගොඩගේ සැකකරුවන් කොටුකරගත් හැටි - විමර්ශකයාගේ සාක්කිය | THARINDU | MediaLK

Summary

The video reports on testimony in the trial concerning the abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. The main witness was former CID investigator Navaratne Premathilaka, witness No. 53. His testimony was due to continue the following day. The case has nine defendants, and Ekneligoda’s wife, Sandya, was present in court.

Premathilaka described how investigators examined phone records and information initially gathered by the Colombo Crimes Division. He testified that several numbers used to call Ekneligoda were not registered in his name, but investigators traced connections through phone-company records and witness evidence. The phone data discussed in court included calls made on 24 January 2010, the last day Ekneligoda’s phone was recorded as being used, and tower locations around Rajagiriya and Battaramulla. The presenter said the records and testimony appeared to clarify links between several phone numbers and people mentioned in earlier evidence.

According to the witness, the investigation led to suspects associated with a group of military intelligence officers operating from the Giritale camp. Several officers were arrested, though one was later released after investigators said they had not found sufficient evidence against him. These points were presented as testimony in an ongoing case, not as findings of guilt.

The defense objected to some phone-number evidence, arguing that it relied on information from others and should not be admitted under the cited legal provisions. The judges rejected the objection, accepting that the investigator had pursued the information through his own inquiries.

The court also addressed disclosure of investigation notes. It directed the CID to provide the defense with copies of the relevant notebooks, along with typed versions if photocopies were unclear, so counsel could prepare for cross-examination. The hearing was adjourned, with Premathilaka’s testimony and other witnesses expected to continue the next day.

The presenter also criticized what he described as distorted media coverage of earlier testimony about Ekneligoda’s relationship with another witness, saying that snippets had been reported without the wider context.

Presenter and Contributor

• Presenter: Tharindu (surname unclear in the subtitles)
• Principal witness discussed: Navaratne Premathilaka, former CID investigator and witness No. 53 in the trial