ARUNDIKA DRAGS IN HANDUNNETTI
Says he told him Prageeth Ekneligoda was alive in Belgium
United People’s Alliance MP Arundika Fernando giving evidence at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court in the case of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda said yesterday Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil Han
dunetti had told him that Ekneligoda was alive and living in Belgium.
He named Mr. Handunetti after lawyer Upul Kumarapperuma who led evidence asked Mr. Fernando
I initially did not know in which part of France that I saw Manjula, but later the driver told me that it was in a place called Deutche which borders
Switzerland
to name the opposition parliamentarian, who Mr. Fernando claimed had informed him that Eknaligoda was alive.
“Since it’s in court I will name him. He is Sunil Handunetti,” he said.
Mr. Fernando said his statement in parliament regarding the existence of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda was based on the trust he placed on the word of Manjula Wediwardane.He told court that he had never seen Prageeth Ekneligoda and it was Mr. Wediwardane who had, in fact, recognised him. He said Mr. Wediwardane told him that the man who had entered the house in France was Prageeth Ekneligoda.
“I initially did not know in which part of France that I saw Manjula, but later the driver told me that it was in a place called Deutche which borders Switzerland. It was a three-roomed house but unlike in other places where Sri Lankans welcome a parliamentarian I wasn’t welcomed here. It was there that Manjula pointed to a short and bald man and told me that was Prageeth,” Mr. Fernando said.He said Mr. Wediwardena was his childhood friend from his school days at St. Peter’s College.“We were in school together and he was a good writer. I had not heard from him for a long time and it was after I went to France to meet my mother and my sister that I was made aware of Wediwardena’s pres-
When questioned, Mr. Fernando said he informed a “person who is an authority for national security in this country” upon his return from France re
garding this meeting
ence in France. Thereafter I found his number and called him on January 5, 2012. We decided to meet on January 9,” he said. When questioned, Mr. Fernando said he informed a “person who is an authority for national security in this country” upon his return from France regarding this meeting.When urged by counsel to reveal the name of the individual to whom he had reported the sighting of Mr. Ekneligoda, Mr. Fernando declined to do so. “I cannot say it in open court” he said.When counsel asked the witness whether he informed the Sri Lankan delegates to Geneva in 2012 regarding his meeting Mr. Ekneligoda, Mr. Fernando replied in the negative.“No I believe the person I revealed this to earlier would have informed them,” he said.
In reply to a query by petitioner’s counsel, witness MP Arundika Fernando further said that he had also been able to read a letter tabled in parliament and dated June 12, 2013, signed by K.A. Ranjith the Additional Secretary (Parliament and Civil Affairs) of the Ministry of Defence
He had never seen Prageeth Ekneligoda and it was Mr. Wediwardane who had in fact, recognised him. He said Mr. Wediwardane told him that the man who had entered the house in France was Prageeth Ekneligoda
and Urban Development, stating that there was evidence to prove that Prageeth Ekneligoda had been abducted by an organised group.
Further magisterial inquiry into the incident was postponed for August 21 by Magistrate Y.R.D. Nelumdeniya. Counsel Upul Kumarapperuma appeared for the petitioner Sandya Ekneligoda. President’s Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, with Niroshan Siriwardane, appeared for MP Arundika Fernando and Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.The next hearing was fixed for August 21.