Probe Into Keith Noyahr Abduction Still Continuing Based On Lalith Allahakkoon's Statement: Law And Order Ministry

February 22, 2018

The CID investigations into the abduction of former journalist Keith Noyahr will continue based on the statements given by senior journalist Lalith Allahakkoon and a few others, sources within the Law and Order Ministry said. 

The investigation is currently underway based on the statement given by Allahakkoon, former Editor of The Nation newspaper of which Noyahr was the Deputy Editor. The attack, according to the statements given to the CID, took place just days after Noyahr wrote an article criticizing the conduct of the then Army Commander. 

Investigation teams ran into difficulties when Noyahr refused to come to Sri Lanka to cooperate with the investigations. Despite Noyahr's absence, the Ministry sources said, the investigations were continuing based on statements and other evidence.

Although Nayahr is currently overseas, the Police complaint with regard to the assault has been lodged by Allahakkoon, currently the Editor of the state-run Daily News newspaper.

Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa have already given statements to the CID over the abduction. 

Keith Noyahr, the Deputy Editor of ‘The Nation’ newspaper, was abducted near his home in May 2008.

He was released a day later, and said he had been assaulted and questioned about his ‘sources.’

Keith Noyahr left the country soon after the assault.