Ekneligoda probe suspended over military protest
Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for an immediate halt of the CID investigation probing into the disappearance of Lanka E News journalist - Prageeth Ekneligoda, the 'Sath Handa' newspaper reveals, citing police sources.
15 August 2015
The order was made after military bigwigs have informed the Prime minister that further investigations could cause a stir within the military, it adds.
According to investigations so far, the direct involvement of several intelligence unit officers and high ranking military officers had been revealed. One officer is already under arrest and another high ranking officer is to be arrested soon.
The newspaper further reports as follows :
Firm stance of military
However, Army officers have already informed the CID that the officers cannot be handed over for questioning.
Should such arrested Army officers reveal all incidents that took place in the recent past, it could expose an entire special military intelligence unit that was set up during the war era for that express purpose.
This special contingent set up under the auspices of the then Army commander - Sarath Fonseka, had 650 officers attached.
After the war, this intelligence team was used to continue the 'military regime' of the Rajapaksa era.
The disappearance of Ekneligoda was one act.
Millennium City
Army officers are of the opinion that as the team was involved in many similar acts, disclosure of information would created a massive stir among the military and could lead to a controversy such as the 'Millennium City betrayal'.
Under the former Defence Secretary, many high ranking military officials including the former Army commander Jagath Jayasuriya and Brigadier W.D.G. Wanninayaka have been attached to the team.
Under this new series of events, the Prime minister has decided to halt the probe until the General Election is over.
