A former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre has made explosive revelations before the Colombo High Court, claiming that missing Sri Lankan media personality Prageeth Ekneligoda had allegedly proposed firing a missile at then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa's aircraft. The testimony, delivered during ongoing proceedings into Ekneligoda's disappearance, has sent shockwaves through Sri Lanka's legal and political circles, adding a dramatic new dimension to one of the country's most closely watched court cases.
Witness Takes the Stand at Colombo High Court
The witness, identified as Sumathipala Suresh Kumar — known by his alias Thavendran 'Murali' — appeared before a three-member bench of the Colombo High Court currently hearing the case surrounding the disappearance of journalist and political cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Murali, a self-described former LTTE cadre, delivered testimony that prosecutors and observers are describing as among the most significant yet heard in these prolonged proceedings.
According to Murali's account, discussions allegedly took place during a meeting held in Habarana, a town located in Sri Lanka's North Central Province. He claimed that during the height of the civil war, a group that included Ekneligoda discussed various plans to assassinate President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with other senior government officials. Among the alleged proposals raised during that meeting, Murali stated, was a plan to use a surface-to-air missile to shoot down the presidential aircraft.
The Alleged Habarana Meeting
The claimed meeting in Habarana has become a focal point of the testimony. Murali described it as a gathering where militant strategies were openly discussed, including targeted assassinations of high-profile government figures. He specifically pointed to Ekneligoda as someone who actively participated in and contributed to these discussions, allegedly proposing the missile strike as one potential method of eliminating the then-head of state.
The allegations, if substantiated, would represent a significant reframing of Ekneligoda's public image. The journalist vanished on January 24, 2010 — just two days before Sri Lanka's presidential election — and has long been regarded by press freedom advocates, human rights organizations, and his family as a victim of enforced disappearance, likely carried out by state actors due to his critical reporting and political commentary.
Background: The Ekneligoda Disappearance Case
Prageeth Ekneligoda was a prominent journalist and political cartoonist who worked for Lanka-e-News, an online publication known for its sharp criticism of the Rajapaksa administration. His disappearance sparked international outrage and drew condemnation from global press freedom organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
His wife, Sandhya Ekneligoda, has spent years fighting for answers and justice, filing legal petitions and speaking on international platforms about her husband's fate. Several military intelligence officers were previously arrested and charged in connection with the case, although proceedings have moved slowly through Sri Lanka's court system over the years.
The case gained renewed attention following the change of government in Sri Lanka, with authorities pledging greater transparency and accountability in investigating enforced disappearances that allegedly occurred during and after the final stages of the civil war against the LTTE.
Defense Strategy or Credible Testimony?
Legal analysts and human rights observers have been quick to question the context and intent behind Murali's testimony. Critics argue that introducing claims about assassination plots could be a deliberate strategy to discredit Ekneligoda posthumously and shift public and judicial perception of the case. By portraying the missing journalist as someone with alleged militant connections and violent intentions, some observers suggest the testimony could be aimed at undermining the credibility of the disappearance case itself.
Defense attorneys, however, maintain that the testimony is relevant to establishing a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding the case and the individuals involved. The three-member bench is expected to scrutinize the witness's background, motivations, and the verifiability of his claims before assigning evidentiary weight to the statements.
Implications for the Ongoing Trial
The Colombo High Court bench continues to hear testimony from multiple witnesses as part of its effort to determine what happened to Ekneligoda and who bears responsibility for his disappearance. The case remains one of the most politically sensitive in Sri Lanka's recent history, touching on issues of press freedom, wartime accountability, and the conduct of military and intelligence services.
Murali's testimony is expected to face rigorous cross-examination in the coming hearings. Sandhya Ekneligoda and her legal team have consistently maintained that her husband was abducted and killed because of his journalism, and they are expected to challenge the former LTTE cadre's account vigorously.
As Sri Lanka continues to grapple with its post-war legacy and the broader question of accountability for human rights violations, the Ekneligoda case remains a defining test of the country's commitment to justice and the rule of law. The court's eventual findings are expected to carry significant weight both domestically and in the international community.