News
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Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has withdrawn the indictment against wartime Navy Commander the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda in respect of the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil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.
The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
News
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.
The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.
Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
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