In a dramatic turn of events the investigation
into the abduction of Keith Noyahr, the
Criminal Investigation Department has found that the abductors had made phone
calls to Gotabaya Rajapaksa just
after the abduction.
Using the newly imported equipment the CID has managed to trace
the call log details of the abductors’ and Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Keith Noyahr was abducted and mercilessly assaulted in 2008.
He fled the country with his family and out of sheer fear did not even make a
statement to the Police. The abductors blindfolded him and carried him to
the store house situated within a large land in Dompe. His hands and feet
were tied and then strung on to a pole akin to hauling a dead carcass.
Keith Noyahr was stripped, his belongings including his wedding ring taken, the
abductors continued to assault wanting to know who his informants were. The
true journalist that he was, even though bleeding profusely and in immense
pain, never did Noyahr betray his sources.
The Dompe land and the house including the store
was visited by Major Bulathwatte regularly as he had an intimate
relationship with a lady living there. When Keith Noyahr was abducted it
was the CEO of The Nation Krishantha Cooray who ran
helter skelter to trace him. Krishantha Cooray contacted other Media
houses, Embassies, and NGOs, who in turn sprung into action.
Senior DIG Anura Senanayake too was contacted
and a team from the Nation including Cooray went along the telephone path
which led to Dompe. For some unknown reason this team turned back from Dompe
and abandoned the search. Retired DIG Senanayake could answer as to why
this was done. CEO Krishantha Cooray then contacted Karu Jayasuriya for
help. Help did Karu Jayasuriya. He called Mahinda Rajapaksa !!!!
Keith Noyahr was released a few hours later.
When Keith was held in the storehouse in Dompe, the lights were
turned off and he was blindfolded. Several hours after continuous assault,
he had heard a telephone ring and a voice answer in English. “Yes sir, Yes
Sir”. A few minutes later the same voice had approached him and asked him to
wash himself and dress up. The tone of the voice of abductors were conciliatory
after the telephone call. He was brought back in a circuitous route and
released. Wedding ring returned, purse not.
This abduction and assault was never investigated. The common
perception was that the abduction was done at the behest of the then Army
Commander Sarath Fonseka.
One must recall that in 2008 up to the time the
war was ended former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and
Gen Sarath Fonseka were
on the same page. Squeezing buddies. It was Gotabaya Rajapaksa who
took pole position to safeguard not only the former Army Commander but
all the military and allied forces men even when there was
mounting evidence of abductions and other criminal acts. Remember who
said that Gen Fonseka was the best Army Commander in the World?
Military Intelligence head Hendawitharne and his immediate subordinate
Amal Karunatilleke too were in the habit of reporting to the then Secretary
of Defence Gotabaya, directly. Telephone records show the trace of
reporting from the time Keith Noyahr was abducted to the time he was
released and thereafter.
“The CID which renewed investigations into the many murders,
abductions and assaults which occurred during the Rajapaksa regime, seem to be
drawing first blood. Apart from abductions and disappearances of civilians for
extorting large amounts of money, the hunting of journalists who had alternate
views to that of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime had damaged the image of the
island nation.” a well informed source to Colombo Telegraph.
According to the Foreign Ministry sources, increase
in tourism and foreign direct investments being of utmost importance this
year, success in investigations into murder and abductions of journalists too
will be of equal importance to achieve the first requirements mentioned above.
A senior Government official, who did not wish to be named, pointed
out that tourists do not visit a country that does not respect the rule of law
nor where voice of dissent is stifled. Neither would foreign direct investments
pour into a country where accountability is absent. 2018 will be a make or
break year for Sri Lanka financially, when a major portion of the huge
borrowings of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime will be up for repayment.
“Remember Sri Lanka thus far has not reneged on her foreign debt on due
dates. Never.” he said.
“It is laudable that President Sirisena nor
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, has blocked the investigations of the CID.
There is a powerful message in their silence. Mahinda Rajapaksa and his
coterie in the Joint Opposition has from time to time tried to whip up
extremist and racist feelings whenever a military officer was questioned
or remanded over a criminal offense. A section of the Buddhist clergy too
have been misled by these sentiments. THEY SHOULD READ Major General Kamal Gunaratne‘s
book ROAD TO NANDIKADAL ( Pg 55) where the decorated officer
writes how ashamed he was of military men resorting to criminal acts. The
Major General has indeed made several references to acts of criminality by
military men and the need to bring them before the law in order to preserve the
good name of the Military and of Officers and Gentlemen. His position
is absolutely right but is quite the opposite of former President
Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa et al. In the eyes of the
Rajapaksa’s the entire military be they deviant or not are War heroes. Why? It
is obvious.” a defence analyst told.
“Painstaking detective work resulted in the CID finding out the
details of the Noyahr assault. As Major General Kamal Gunaratne said in his
book, it would be best if the military shed the rogue elements sooner than
later so that the true war heroes could be celebrated and revered. The present
Yahapalanaya government of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe
should know that all their grandiose plans for Sri Lanka will come to naught if
the patriotism card is used by Mahinda, Gota and others to thwart
constitutional reforms and development. The country did believe that there was
criminality and corruption during the Rajapaksa era and they must be held
accountable. Put away if found guilty. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.
“The Keith Noyahr investigation is but the tip of the iceberg.
Await more.” the defence analyst said.
-By Tamil.M.M.Nilamdeen -
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