When the court questioned Gotabaya about Lalith Kugan, who was abducted by a white van, he reportedly said he 'doesn't remember'.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today gave online testimony from the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court for a case being heard at the Jaffna Magistrate's Court, related to the disappearance of two political activists in Jaffna in 2011. He appeared in court today around 1:20 PM, and the process of taking testimony began approximately ten minutes later.

This case has been filed based on the incident where two political activists, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, were abducted in a white van on December 9, 2011, while they were preparing to hold a press conference in Avarangal, Jaffna, on behalf of the relatives of disappeared persons, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

In this regard, the then government media spokesperson, Keheliya Rambukwella, had stated at a press conference that they were alive, and during investigations into the matter, he had said that he made that statement based on information provided by the then Secretary of Defence, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Accordingly, although the court issued summons to Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give testimony in March 2019, he avoided giving testimony citing security reasons and later became President. However, following a request made by his lawyers on February 6th, the court granted him permission to give testimony via online means on June 2nd.

The relevant testimony was recorded from the Jaffna Magistrate's Court under the direction of Attorney Nuwan Bopage, who appeared for the prosecution. Answering several questions, the former President stated that he had no recollection of the incident as a long time had passed since it occurred. He further added that certain parties accuse the military and intelligence agencies of being involved in abductions and disappearances solely to gain political advantage and harm the country's reputation.

Do you agree that if civilians disappear in a country, it is a threat to national security?

People disappear for various reasons. In such cases, the police specifically take action. Not every disappearance is reported to the Security Council. There have been instances where information was received. In special cases, information has been received.

Do you remember journalist Keith Noyahr?

I remember. I remember that incident to some extent. I don't remember the details.

What do you mean by 'remember to some extent'?

I remember that an incident happened. I didn't come prepared for that today. That's why I said I remember it to some extent.

Do you remember Keith Noyahr disappearing?

Sir, to my knowledge, Keith Noyahr did not disappear.

Do you know that he was abducted by some people and subjected to torture?

I don't know that he was abducted. But I know he disappeared and was found.

Do you remember receiving a phone call saying he was missing?

It happened fifteen years ago. I don't remember now who called on the phone.

Do you remember informing the then IGP Jayantha Wickramaratne about it?

If I had known about such an incident, I would have informed the Inspector General of Police about it.

Do you remember informing the Secretary of Defence, Major General Heda Withana, about it?

This happened a long time ago. So I don't remember it now.

Do you know that Keith Noyahr was severely injured and later abandoned at some location?

I don't remember, Sir.

I suggest to you that Keith Noyahr was abducted and released, not killed, on your command.

I deny that, Sir. I said at the beginning that such an incident happened. I don't know how it happened or who did it. And I don't remember when asked fifteen years later.

I suggest to you that you reported on this matter to the Deputy Inspector General of Police in a report to the Criminal Investigation Department in January 2007.

I don't remember about that.

Do you remember that five officers from the Army's Tripoli sub-unit were named as suspects in connection with the incident?

No, Sir. I don't know.

I suggest to you that as the then Secretary of Defence, you directly intervened and gave instructions regarding abductions and disappearances.

I deny that. I was not involved in any ground operations. My duty as the Secretary of Defence was to transmit government policies to those institutions. I was not directly involved in ground operations.

The recording of this testimony concluded today, and the court ordered the further hearing of evidence in the relevant case to be held again on November 27th.