Note by Sandaya Ekneligoda.
Today, Colombo Permanent High Court, took up the criminal case number HC(TAB)725/2019 (Ekneligoda case) filed against 9 members of the military intelligence unit under 17 charges. Today too, the bench was adjourned until May 4 due to the lack of a full bench.
This month is a wonderful month. For the first time in my life, I am going to court on behalf of Prageeth. That was in February 2010. It was for the habeas corpus case filed on behalf of Prageeth and my two children. The case was prepared and appeared by Senior Attorney Chrismal Warnasuriya.
I met him by chance. One day in early February 2010, in Pelawatte.
I had to go to the office of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). Tell them the truth about the idea of Prageeth’s kidnapping. I think that was the day I first met Mr. Vijitha Herath (Minister of Foreign Affairs).
That gentleman was the one who assigned me to Mr. Sunil Watagala,(Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs) the lawyer, to take me to the office of Mr. Krishmal Warnasuriya to file the Hebiscopus case.
He was the one who acted as the instructions Attorney in the Hebiscopus case.
16 years later, they are ruling the country. I am still scouring this earth, seeking justice for my husband….
The above smiling image of me. The photo is by Tyagi Ruwanpathirana.
The media colleagues who come to the courtroom usually have forgotten Prageeth today.
I am smiling at the lens. It may be because I remember the paragraphs of the wonderful book called This Wonderful Kingdom. Or it could be the sight of Rajapaksa’s demons in the changed system. It could also be the nakedness of the people who, as they say, “If a woman asks for justice, we will kill her,” and who, claiming to be superior, raise their heads and cover their faces.
(Translated from SInhala FB Post by Sandaya Ekneligoda.)