FEES OF PRIVATE LAWYERS OF ACCUSED WHO ATTACKED JOURNALISTS ALLEGEDLY PAID FROM A ‘SECRET FUND’ UNDER MILITARY ?

Sunday (June 28) marked 6000 days since the disappearance of veteran journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.

- By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

To mark this day, his spouse Sandya Ekneligoda spoke to the media about the journey she has come thus far amidst various obstacles. Several of his belongings and letters Sandya has written to various organisations in her fight for justice were displayed for people to understand the challenges she has faced over the years single-handedly. A candlelight vigil was organised following the media briefing to remember the veteran journalist.

Concerns raised regarding an alleged secret fund

Speaking at the media briefing, Sandaruwan Senadheera, Editor of the online news website Lanka e-News recalled how they staged a protest with the theme ‘Bring Back Our Prageeth’ the day following his disappearance in January 2010.

“After that day, I’m speaking to the media in this manner after 16 years,” he told reporters. According to Senadheera, media organizations in the North and South were torched, while journalists were being abducted and killed. He said that out of these incidents, the only case that is still being heard is that of Prageeth’s disappearance and that it is solely because of Sandya’s determination.

“We believe that the case is progressing in a successful manner. What we know so far is that the abductions and killings of journalists in the South were allegedly carried out by one group. My organization was burned down and it is allegedly linked to one group. But there has been no accused so far despite ongoing investigations. There’s a rumour that payments for private lawyers appearing for the accused in these cases are being sourced via an alleged secret fund coming under the purview of the military. We have revealed this twice and nobody has either denied it or have responded to these allegations. If this is continuing it is a dangerous state of affairs. Justice needs to be delivered to Prageeth and we need to continue this fight,” he added.