The very same murderers of Ekneligoda ....
admit murder of Sampath Lakmal!
It is no secret that reporting news was a matter of fearsome activity because of mediamen were
subjected to harassment, threats and murder, some years back. Sri Lanka in fact was at the bottom of the index internationally where freedom of the press was concerned. The murders of Ekneligoda and Lasantha were were only outstanding examples in that connection and while certain individuals who lost their lives were not highlighted in the process those mysterious murders were lost in oblivion.Details about those who were responsible for the death of Ekneligoda have now been exposed by the new government while it has been revealed that the young journalist, 23 years of age named Sampath Lakmal Silva too was murdered in the same context of a political motivation.
A lieutenant colonel who has already been remanded as a suspect in the murder of Ekneligoda is found by investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department that he is connected to the murder of Sampath too. Sampath Lakmal who was a freelance journalist was killed down Jayawardena Road, Dehiwala on July 1st in the year 2006. He had been abducted while travelling somewhere close to his house and had been shot on the head and murdered. Police investigations in that respect too had not been properly carried out at that time. Sampath Lakmal Silva who functioned as a freelance writer of the Sathdina newspaper at the time of his death was providing news about political internal secrets and was also connected to establishments such as Lakbima, Aratuwa and the TNL Media. He was an Old Boy of St. John's College, Nugegoda. He reported information related to crime and security and was someone who kept close relationships with the police as well as higher ups in the army forces, it was understood.
The closest reason for him to be killed according to information so far received is that a certain high official of the security was enraged because of some matter that Sampath had reported. Sampath had been living with his mother in their house in Werahera, Boralesgamuwa. When he was having his dinner in his house on 30th June in 2006 he had received a telephone call from an army officer who had cordial relations with him, after which he had told his mother that he would go to see a friend of his and had left home that very moment because of that message. On that occasion a group attached to the army had abducted Lakmal on the way and had shot him on the head after taking him to Jayawardena Road in Dehiwala and had bolt a retreat subsequently, it was revealed at investigations. The police were able to retrieve 3 bullets of a 9 mm. pistol from the place where Lakmal was killed.
It has been revealed from investigations that the cause of murdering him was a conflict which flared up over an unnecessary incident about which he had reported. It has also been revealed at investigations so far conducted that one of the two lieutenant colonels who has been taken into custody over the Ekneligoda killing has also directed the murder of Lakmal Silva too at the necessity of this colonel. Two lieutenant colonels and a member of the army are still in prison, subjected to accusations over the murder of Pradeep Ekneligoda.
