Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam has received permission from the Court of Appeal to submit a confidential report as regards the disappearance of 11 persons during the conflict. The disappearances have been blamed on the Navy
The Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, PC appeared for the Attorney General when the case was taken up yesterday (01)
ASG Pulle told the Court of Appeal that the Attorney General’s Department, had prepared a confidential report to explain why the AG wished to withdraw the indictment against wartime Navy Commander the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda. Since then Karannagoda has been promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.
The case attracted the attention of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and local and international NGOs.
Of the missing eleven persons, five were allegedly taken into custody on 17 Sept. 2008 by navy personnel along with a vehicle. Police have identified them as Rajiv Naganathan (21 years/Colombo 13), Pradeep Vishvanathan (18 years/Wasala Rd, Colombo 13), Mohammed Sajith (21 years/Dematagoda), Thilakeswaram Ramalingam (17 years/Bloemendhal housing complex, Colombo 13) and Jamaldeen Dilan (Maradana). Those involved in the operation were believed to have been accompanied by a navy informant Mohammed Ali Anwar alias Hadjjiar of Karagampitiya, Dehiwela. Subsequently, the 28-year-old informant, too, disappeared and listed among those eleven missing.
The remaining five persons are Kasthuriarachchilage John Reid (21 years/Kotahena/8-9-2008)), Amalan Leon (50 years/Arippu, north/25-8-2008)) and his son Roshan Leon (21 years/Arippu north/25-8-2008), Anthony Kasthuriarachchi (48 years/Kotahena/10-10-2008) and Kanagaraja Jegan (32 years, Trincomalee).
The Court of Appeal will peruse this report, once it is submitted.
The Writ Application will be mentioned again on November 02. The Court will then decide a date for the order in respect of this issue.
Romesh de Silva, President’s Counsel appeared with Sugath Caldera for Karannagoda.
Counsel Nuwan Bopage appeared for the petitioner parents.
The bench comprised Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna and Justice Dhammika Ganepola.
A Writ application has been filed against the move to discharge the former Navy Commander.