Feature & Analysis
IGP urged to act promptly in Ekanaliyagoda’s case
The Asian Human Rights Commission urges prompt action from IGP on the case of missing journalist, Prageeth Ekanaliyagoda -- AHRC
Prageeth Ekanaliyagoda has been missing since the 24th of January 2010. His wife made a statement to the police on the 25th and sought their intervention and investigation into the matter. She has also made complaints to other Sri Lankan authorities. She made a further statement to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. A complaint has also been made on her behalf to the United Nations Working Group on Disappearances. However, up until now, there is no significant action taken to find the whereabouts of Mr. Ekanaliyagoda by the police or any other Sri Lankan authority.
The following are the actions any police authority would usually take in the case of complaints relating to missing persons, which the Inspector General of Police (IGP) can also take at least now.
1. Appoint a special unit of inquiry from the CID to investigate this matter and to make a report to the IGP on an urgent basis.
2. Cause public notices to be exhibited through radio, television and all other avenues, informing the public to provide the police with any information that they may have or come across about this person or incident.
3. As this is a case of a well-known journalist whose publication Lanka E-News has been subjected to political attacks and he has himself written articles relating to political matters, the IGP should seek a special report from director of the intelligence unit as to whether he has been detained or otherwise taken by any intelligence unit, paramilitary unit or an underground unit for whatever reason.
Prompt action on the part of the Inspector General of Police and any police unit that should usually deal with such complaints are needed when complaints are made about disappearances of persons. We urge the Inspector General of Police to take these actions and to keep the public informed about all the developments relating to this investigation.
Courtesy: Sri Lanka Guardian
