March 02, Colombo (LNW): Two former members of the Sri Lanka Army’s intelligence unit have been taken into custody in connection with the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008, according to the Police Media Division.
The arrests occurred yesterday (01), when the two suspects, aged 42 and 46, were apprehended by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the Nawagaththegama and Elayapaththuwa police divisions.
This follows ongoing investigations into the high-profile case, which has remained a source of concern for both media freedom and human rights.
Noyahr, a prominent journalist at the time, was abducted on 22nd May 2008 whilst travelling in the Waidya Road area, located within the Dehiwala Police Division.
He was taken in a van and subsequently subjected to a brutal assault. The incident shocked the nation and drew widespread condemnation, with many seeing it as an attack on press freedom.
The suspects, who are both retired personnel from the Army’s Military Intelligence Corps (MIC), were allegedly involved in the abduction and subsequent assault of Noyahr.
Despite the years that have passed since the incident, the case has continued to be a focal point in the wider discussion about the safety of journalists and the protection of press freedom in Sri Lanka.
Authorities have not disclosed the full details surrounding the investigation, but the recent arrests signal progress in a case that had long remained unresolved.
The two men, residents of Nawagaththegama and Ulukkulama, are expected to be questioned further as part of the ongoing legal proceedings.
The case of Keith Noyahr is one of several incidents over the years that has raised concerns about the treatment of journalists in Sri Lanka, particularly during periods of heightened political tension.
