Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before a court and repeatedly stated that he could not remember key details surrounding the abduction of prominent journalist Keith Noyahr, a case that has haunted Sri Lanka's post-war accountability landscape for nearly two decades. His responses, largely characterized by the phrase "I don't remember," have drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates, legal experts, and civil society groups who argue that such answers fall far short of the transparency demanded by justice.
Who Is Keith Noyahr and What Happened to Him?
Keith Noyahr was a well-known Sri Lankan journalist and former Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper. He was abducted in May 2008 during a period when Sri Lanka was in the final stages of its brutal civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Noyahr was seized by unidentified men, subjected to severe physical abuse, and interrogated before eventually being released. His abduction was widely believed to be connected to his critical reporting on military affairs during a time when the government was extremely sensitive to any form of press scrutiny.
Noyahr's case became one of the most high-profile examples of the systematic targeting of journalists in Sri Lanka during that era. Multiple reporters were abducted, killed, or forcibly disappeared during the same period, and international organizations including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists repeatedly flagged Sri Lanka as one of the most dangerous countries for media professionals.
Gotabaya's Role and the Court Proceedings
At the time of Noyahr's abduction, Gotabaya Rajapaksa was serving as Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, a position that granted him enormous authority over military and security operations in the country. Critics and investigators have long pointed to the Defence Ministry's alleged involvement in the coordinated suppression of journalists during the war years, making Gotabaya a central figure in accountability discussions.
During his court appearance, Gotabaya was questioned extensively about his knowledge of the Noyahr abduction and other enforced disappearances that occurred under his watch. His repeated insistence that he could not recall specific events or decisions has been met with skepticism. Legal observers note that for someone who held one of the most powerful positions in the country during that period, claims of memory failure regarding such significant human rights incidents raise serious credibility concerns.
The court proceedings represent a significant moment in Sri Lanka's slow and often frustrating journey toward accountability for wartime and post-war abuses. For years, victims' families and press freedom organizations have called for transparent investigations into the disappearances and attacks on journalists, with little meaningful progress made under successive governments.
Broader Pattern of Disappearances
The questioning of Gotabaya extends beyond Noyahr's case alone. Prosecutors and legal representatives have sought answers regarding a broader pattern of enforced disappearances that took place during the final years of the civil war and its immediate aftermath. Thousands of individuals, including civilians, journalists, and activists, were reported missing during this period, and many cases remain unresolved to this day.
Human rights organizations have documented how white van abductions became a feared symbol of state-sponsored intimidation during this era. Victims were often taken without warning, held in undisclosed locations, tortured, and in many cases never returned to their families. The psychological and social impact of these disappearances on affected communities continues to be deeply felt across Sri Lanka.
Reactions From Press Freedom Groups and Civil Society
The news of Gotabaya's court testimony has prompted strong reactions from journalists' organizations and human rights bodies both within Sri Lanka and internationally. Many advocates argue that accountability for crimes against journalists is essential not only for the victims themselves but for the broader health of democratic institutions and press freedom in the country.
Press freedom organizations have emphasized that Sri Lanka must demonstrate genuine political will to prosecute those responsible for attacks on journalists if it hopes to rebuild trust with the international community and its own citizens. The Noyahr case, given its prominence and the seniority of those now being questioned, is seen as a critical test of that commitment.
What Comes Next
The legal proceedings involving Gotabaya Rajapaksa are expected to continue, with further questioning anticipated as prosecutors build their case. The outcome of this process will be closely watched by human rights advocates, journalists, and ordinary Sri Lankans who have long demanded answers about the dark chapter of enforced disappearances that marked the country's recent history.
For Keith Noyahr and the many others who suffered during that period, justice remains an elusive but deeply necessary goal. Whether Sri Lanka's courts can deliver meaningful accountability against a former president and defence secretary will say much about the country's democratic maturity and its commitment to ensuring that such abuses are never repeated.