Prageeth Eknaligoda case: Appeal Court ruling on former AG

Sri Lanka’s Appeal Court has ruled that former Attorney General Mr. Mohan Pieris could be called in as a witness to inquire into the disappearance of journalist, Prageeth Eknaligoda.  State Counsel told court that the order given by the Homagama Magistrate Court to call former attorney general before court was illegal.

Not illegal

Appeal Court stated that Homagama Magistrate Court has the power to issue such an order on the ground of new evidence in this case.

Sandya Eknaligoda, wife of Prageeth has requested courts to order police to produce the missing journalist in courts.

Former attorney general, Mr. Mohan Pieris had made a statement during a presentation at UN Committee against Torture (UNCat) that journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda has sought political asylum abroad.

Responding to the disappearance of political columnist and cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda, who is missing since January 2009, Mr Peiris told UNCaT in Geneva last November, that the journalist has sought asylum abroad.

“Our current information is, that Mr. Eknaligoda has taken refuge in a foreign country,” Mr.Mohan Peiris said answering to a question from a delegate.

Evidence Ordinance

The Appeal Court approving the decision of the Homagama Magistrate Court said that it could be challenged in future if the magistrate had violated the Evidence Ordinance.
 
Sanjaya Eknaligoda and her son highlight Prageeth Eknaligoda’s plight 

Prageeth, who had written articles and drawn cartoons critical of the government, was apparently abducted on his way home from the office and has not been seen since 24 January 2010.
 BBC Sinhala