Army blocks probe at Giritale camp

The Homagama Magistrate has referred to the Attorney General a request made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking permission to search the false LTTE camp at Giritale, revealed in investigations, which had been maintained by the Army. The search application is in pursuance of investigations conducted by the CID into the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

When the Ekneligoda Case was taken up for hearing at the Homagama Magistrate's Court on 7 September, counsel representing the Army objected on the basis that inspecting the Giritale Army Camp could prove to be a threat to national security. Acting Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Priyantha Jayakody said the request made by the CID to inspect the Army Camp, which was revealed to have been maintained by the Army, has been referred for Advice from Attorney General Yuwanjan Wijetilleke. He said, future steps will be decided upon, on advice from the Attorney General, but investigations into the Ekneligoda incident will continue. Asked for comments on the development, Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera said, since investigations into the disappearance of Ekneligoda are being carried out, the Army cannot make a statement at this moment regarding the issue. He added that the media should depend on statements issued by the Police Media Spokesman regarding this particular incident. Eleven persons including four officers of the Sri Lanka Army have been taken into custody by the CID and are being subject to questioning as of now in connection with the Ekneligoda disappearance.