Disappearance of 11 persons: AG withdraws indictment against Karannagoda

By Chitra Weerarathne

Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has withdrawn the indictment against wartime Navy Commander the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in respect of the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youth in 2008. The case attracted the attention of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and local and international NGOs.

The Court of Appeal yesterday (13) permitted the AG to withdraw the indictment against now Admiral of the Fleet Karannagoda.

The AG informed the Court of Appeal that the former Navy Chief wouldn’t be prosecuted.

Of the missing eleven persons, five were allegedly taken into custody on Sept. 17, 2008 by navy personnel along with black Tata Indica. Police have identified them as Rajiv Naganathan (21 years/Colombo 13), Pradeep Vishvanathan (18 years/Wasala Rd, Colombo 13), Mohammed Sajith (21 years/Dematagoda), Thilakeswaram Ramalingam (17 years/Bloemendhal housing complex, Colombo 13) and Jamaldeen Dilan (Maradana). Those involved in the operation were believed to have been accompanied by a navy informant Mohammed Ali Anwar alias Hadjjiar of Karagampitiya, Dehiwela. Subsequently, the 28-year-old informant, too, had disappeared and listed among those eleven missing.

The remaining five persons are Kasthuriarachchilage John Reid (21 years/Kotahena/8-9-2008)), Amalan Leon (50 years/Arippu, north/25-8-2008)) and his son Roshan Leon (21 years/Arippu north/25-8-2008), Anthony Kasthuriarachchi (48 yerars/Kotahena/10-10-2008) and Kanagaraja Jegan (32 years, Trincomalee)

Karannagoda requested the Court of Appeal to issue a stay order on the High Court proceedings against him. The Court of Appeal at an earlier hearing issued a stay order until the Attorney General explained his position with regard to the indictment.

The Writ Application will be mentioned again on November 3.

Romesh de Silva, PC, appeared with Niran Anketell and Sugath Caldera for the petitioner Karannagoda.

Dr. Avanthi Perera Senior State Counsel appeared for the Attorney General.

The bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola.

The alleged abductions and disappearances came to light after relatives of one of those missing brought the incident to Karannagoda’s attention. Subsequent investigations implicated a group of navy personnel, including the Chief Security Officer of the Navy Commander.