Two former military intelligence operatives arrested over Keith Noyahr’s abduction

by Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

The CID has arrested two suspects over the abduction and assault of senior journalist Keith Noyahr in 2008.

The suspects were produced before Mount Lavinia Magistrate and granted bail. They were ordered to be released on two surety bails of Rs one million each.

The suspects, aged 42 and 46, are retired soldiers from the Army Intelligence Unit, residing in Nawagattegama and Ullukulla. They were arrested in the Nawagattegama and Elayapattuwa police divisions.

Another retired military intelligence officer is to be arrested over the same incident.

Noyahr, Associate Editor of The Nation newspaper, was abducted near his home at Waidya Road, Dehiwala, on May 22, 2008, while he was returning from work at night. He was taken in awhite van to a secret location where he was tortured.

It was later revealed that Noyahr had been taken to a military intelligence safe house in Dompe.

During the UNP-led Yahapalana government, investigations into the incident were conducted by the then Director of the ID, SSP Shani Abeysekera.

Seveal personnel from the military intelligence unit, including Hemachandra Perera, Prabath Disanayake, P. Duminda, Lasantha Wimalaveera, and Nishantha Jayatilaka, were arrested. They were later presented before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court and remanded.

The CID also obtained a statement from former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa regarding the abduction of Noyahr.

Although the Attorney General’s Department had earlier instructed the CID to arrest three more members of the military intelligence unit involved in the case, its directive was not carried out under the previous government.

Yesterday’s arrest was based on instructions from the Attorney General, according to the police.