AG Blocks Legal Action Against Army Chief In Eknaligoda Case

By Shalika Wimalasena- Monday, February 01, 2016

The Attorney General’s office has instructed the CID to refrain from taking legal action against the Army Commander Lieutenant General A. W. J. C. De Silva on allegations of failing to assist in the investigations into the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

The CID had recently sought the advice of the AG with regard to initiating legal action against the Army Commander.

A senior officer of the CID told The Sunday Leader that an informal message had been sent to the CID to delay the legal action to be taken against the Army Commander.

However the CID officer said that the investigations with regard to the disappearance of Eknaligoda will be carried out despite the drawbacks, and added that they will seek the advice of the President in the future. Meanwhile, sources said that the issue had been taken up at the Security Council meeting and the majority view of the security heads had been that legal action against the army commander should be delayed.

Sources further stated that the security heads were of the view that if they failed to delay the legal action against the Commander, certain factions would capitalize on the situation and instigate the masses.

The President however had stated that the investigations on the disappearance of Eknaligoda will be carried out unhindered.