When the Habeas Corpus petition on the mysterious disappearance of freelance journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, whose whereabouts are still unknown, was taken up by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday (24), the Court was informed by Counsel for the petitioner that, the Homagama Magistrate is to deliver his order whether former Attorney General (AG) Mohan Pieris is to be summoned as a witness.
This situation arose when Mohan Pieris, former AG and current Advisor to the Cabinet of Ministers, made a statement to the UN Committee Against Torture on November 2011, on being questioned about Ekneligoda’s disappearance, that Ekneligoda did not disappear, but was residing out of the country.
Counsel for the petitioner also informed Court that the proceedings of the Magisterial inquiry has been filed with the Registry of the Court on April 20, but had not been annexed with the docket.
Journalist Ekneligoda was allegedly abducted in 2010 and is missing since then. The Habeas Corpus petition filed by his wife Mrs. K.M.P. Ekneligoda and his two children, cited DIG Nandana Munasinghe of the CID, OIC Homagama Police Station, former IGP Mahinda Balasooriya and the AG as respondents.
Petitioners stated that Ekneligoda was against the political situation in the country, prevalent at that time, and as such, was a supporter of the common candidate, former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, for the Presidential Election.
The petition states that, as he openly canvassed for Sarath Fonseka, he was a target, where he had received threatening telephone calls to back out.
Petitioners said that he was abducted by unknown persons, while returning home, because he actively engaged in supporting Sarath Fonseka.
The Bench comprising Justices Sarath de Abrew and Nalin Perera listed the matter to be mentioned on May 31, after they were informed of the situation consequent to the Homagama Magistrate’s decision to give an order on the Ex-AG. |
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