Punish those who disrupt Court hearing of Eknaligoda abduction case: FMM

The Free Media Movement(FMM) condemns in strongest terms the unruly behavior of the extremist Buddhist monks who tried to disrupt the court hearing of the journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case. This disruption took place 25 January  at the Homagama Magistrate Court.  The leader of the extremist Bodu Bala Sena outfit, GalabodaAtthe Gnanasara Thero entered the court by force and shouted in uncivilised language blaming lawyers and court officials for conducting the case of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s disappearance.  

While leaving the court after challenging the Magistrate to arrest him, BBS leader Gnanasara Thero threatened in foul language, Prageeeth’s wife Sandaya Eknaligoda and she has made a complaint to the Homagama Police against the threat by Gnanasara Thero.

Punishing those who try to disrupt the case of Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance is a pre-condition for the fair hearing of the case. If the culprits are not punished they will continue to disrupt and influence the court proceedings. A number of military officers have been charged with abduction and causing the  disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Extremist nationalist groups have mounted a campaign against arresting military officers’ on the ground that they are war heroes.  

Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda disappeared 24 January 2010 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  FMM notes with concern that after the court ordered to remand the monk Gnanasara till 9 February for contempt of court and other charges on 26th  a   group of his supporters, including monks behaved in an unruly way disrupting court proceedings and preventing prison officials taking Gnanasara to remand prison. Police, which use disproportionate  force against protesting civil groups, did not take action to bring the situation under control  and allowed the extremist group to take the upper hand. 

FMM would like to reiterate Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s encouraging words condemning the unruly behavior of this violent gang: “Everyone is equal before the law and the law should be enforced on anyone no matter who they were.’’

FMM urges the government and police to take action against the threats directed at Sandaya Eknaligoda, an exemplary campaigner for justice, and not to allow disruption of the Prageeth Eknaligoda disappearance case by any extremist group.