Ex-Navy Officer Claims Eknaligoda Was Killed and Buried on Buffalo Island by Navy and Army Personnel

A former Sri Lankan Navy officer has come forward with explosive claims regarding the fate of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Prasanna Priyasaan, now residing in New Zealand, alleges that Eknaligoda was murdered in a joint operation by Navy and Army personnel and buried on Buffalo Island in the Batticaloa Lagoon.

The revelation came during an interview on the YouTube channel of Chamuditha Samarawikrama. Prasanna Priyasanth who was serving in Trincimalle Navy unit at the time, recounted witnessing a man—blindfolded and with his hands tied—being forced into a black Cab near the Papiliyana Vihara. He later followed the van to Batticaloa Fort, where the man was killed by four men, believed to be Army officers.

Shortly afterward, Priyasanth claims he heard three gunshots. He then saw the same men carrying a body, which they placed in a boat and transported to Buffalo Island, where it was allegedly buried.

At the time, Priyasanth said he was unaware of the victim’s identity. However, after seeing photographs in the media months later, he claims he recognized the man as Prageeth Eknaligoda, the well-known political cartoonist and journalist who disappeared in January 2010.

He further revealed that Rilwan, a naval intelligence officer who accompanied him during the operation, later died in a road accident. Another officer involved, allegedly the leader of the operation and known by the alias “Koththu Priyantha”, also died in a separate accident.

During their return to Colombo, Priyasanth claims Rilwan told him: “This is being done under the Secretary’s orderaqq. You don’t need to know anything further.”

After the Yahapalana (Good Governance) government reopened investigations into Eknaligoda’s disappearance, Priayasanth said he was summoned several times for questioning. He alleges that a senior Navy officer warned him not to disclose any details and later tried to intimidate him. During a physical altercation over this, Priyasanth says he was accused of assault and subsequently suspended from naval service.

In closing, Priyasanth stated he is willing to return to Sri Lanka and identify the burial location—if he is provided with adequate security guarantees.

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