By Staff Writer Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice has appointed a special permanent Trial-at-Bar bench to hear the long-running case involving the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda.
The case will be presided over by a panel of three High Court judges: Nayana Seneviratne, Nalin Hewawasam, and Lakmali Hewawasam.
The move marks a significant procedural step in one of Sri Lanka’s most high-profile and enduring human rights cases. Mr Ekneligoda, a cartoonist and political analyst, went missing on the night of 24 January 2010, just days before a presidential election.
A sixteen-year wait
Despite more than 16 years passing since he was last seen, the circumstances of his disappearance remain shrouded in mystery. No conclusive evidence regarding his fate or his death has been officially confirmed, though his family has long campaigned for accountability.
The establishment of a Trial-at-Bar—a special legal proceeding used for cases of significant public interest—is seen as an attempt to expedite the judicial process. Previous hearings have faced numerous delays, including legal challenges and changes in political administration.
International scrutiny
The Ekneligoda case has become a symbol of the struggle for media freedom in Sri Lanka. It has drawn frequent criticism from international human rights organisations and the United Nations, who have repeatedly urged the Sri Lankan authorities to deliver justice for the journalist’s family.
His wife, Sandya Ekneligoda, has become a prominent activist, receiving international awards for her persistence in seeking the truth about her husband’s whereabouts.
The trial is expected to examine evidence relating to the alleged involvement of military intelligence personnel, though the defense has consistently denied the charges throughout various stages of the preliminary investigations.
