Dear Editor,

http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=125339

In response to the above letter appeared under the Opinion column of The Island two days ago, I sent the  attached letter for publication. But It was not published by the editor. I do not see any thing wrong in my response  to the said letter.

” An Observer” 

I read a letter appeared in the opinion column of The Island dated 24th May 2015 with some interest under the title ‘What a generous act!”.  The writer of the letter was praising the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka for donating USD 5000 to the widow of Prageeth Ekneligoda. The writer has also praised the President Maithripala Sirisena for agreeing to grace the occasion.

The disappearance of Pregeeth Ekneligoda was a major issue raised by the opponents of the previous government. Hence we, as members of the general public, expected a full investigation of the disappearance soon after the change of government.

The current President was a leading minister of the previous government and was even holding the General Secretary of the ruling party, SLFP, at that time.  In fact, the President Sirisena has recently claimed that his contribution to the party was enormous and not comparable to those of anyone else. There is a speculation among the general public that one of his supporting politician during the Presidential election who is holding a powerful ministry, even now,   is behind the disappearance of Ekneligoda due to a personal issue.

It would have been a generous act if the current regime  had initiated an investigation of the disappearance of Ekneligoda, rather than donating foreign funded money, to reveal who were behind the issue and ensure safety  of the public in general. Such an act would have helped the President to clear his party’s name and those of his supporters too.

” An Observer”