Top Army General to be grilled over Eknaligoda disappearance

An Army General, who had strong links with the Military intelligence unit, is to be questioned by the CID in connection with the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda .

The CID questioned brigadier Aruna Wannaiarachchi, who headed the Army intelligence unit at one point, for six hours last week over the same matter. Highly placed Police sources told to English media that the investigation teams will visit two army camps early next month. To gather more information about the journalist's disappearance. "We are expecting a court order before visiting army camps. We hope that we will get clearance at least by September 28," a senior Police source told to English media . It has been established that the journalist, who was abducted in Colombo two days before the Presidential election in 2010, had been taken to Girithale Army camp where he was questioned by a group of intelligence unit officers. Lt. Col. Shammi Kumara Ratnayake, Lt. Col.Siriwardena, Staff Sergeant Rajapakse, Corporal Jayalath, retired Sergeant Maj.Ranbanda, Sergeant Maj.Upasena, retired Corporal Ranjith Rupasena, Corporal Anurajeewa and ex-LTTE intelligence members Thavendran and Satya Masterm, were taken into custody by the CID in connection with the journalist's disappearance. Police sources said the investigations were underway to ascertain the authority that issued orders to abduct the journalist. "The investigations may take time due to the extensive nature of the inquiry. As the investigations involve members of the army intelligence unit, it is important to carry out the probe in a careful and judicious manner," the top police source told to English media. Meanwhile, speaking to media on the ongoing investigations, Sandhya Eknaligoda, Prageeth Eknaligoda's wife, accused a senior state official who played a key role in the defence establishment of issuing orders to abduct Eknaligoda.