By: Ovindi Vishmika
March 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Navy abduction case, involving the alleged kidnapping and disappearance of 11 youths in 2008 and 2009, has been marked by political interference and legal obstacles, leaving victims’ families frustrated and desperate for justice.
The case, often referred to as the “Navy 11 Case,” highlights the abuse of power and the culture of impunity surrounding high-ranking military officials involved in grave human rights violations.
The youths, mostly from Colombo and surrounding areas, were abducted by Navy personnel, allegedly for ransom. Some victims were returned after ransom payments, but others disappeared without a trace. One of the youths, who had been in contact with his parents for almost two years after his abduction, stopped calling in May 2011. Among the victims was a Navy informant, Mohammed Ali Anwar, who also went missing.
However,the case first came to light after a police investigation in 2009, which led to the arrest of several Navy officers, including former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.
In 2019, after years of investigation by the International Truth and Justice Project, 14 naval officers, including former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, were indicted on charges ranging from conspiracy and abduction to extortion and murder. However, the case has been marred by political influence, with the Attorney General’s Department and government officials hindering the legal process. In 2021, charges against Admiral Karannagoda were dropped, and he was appointed as the Governor of the North Western Province, despite his direct involvement in the abduction case.
This decision sparked outrage among the families of the disappeared. Britto Fernando, the head of the Families of the Disappeared, lamented that their pleas for justice had been ignored for over a decade, with no progress in the legal proceedings. Fernando criticized the political protection that Karannagoda has received, stating, “We think he is being treated differently because of his political affiliations.”
The lack of action on this case has attracted attention from international organizations. Amnesty International has expressed concern over the delays in bringing the accused to trial, emphasizing the importance of ensuring accountability for crimes under international law. Yamini Mishra, Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific Director, stated, “This case has already been beset by obstacles in Sri Lankan courts, and today’s decision pushes justice further out of reach for the families of victims.”
In early 2023, the U.S. government imposed a travel ban on Admiral Karannagoda, citing his involvement in serious human rights violations, including the abduction case. Despite this international condemnation, the legal system in Sri Lanka continues to struggle to hold him and others accountable.
The ongoing legal battle has faced additional setbacks, including the recent recusal of two Supreme Court judges from hearing the case. Justices Dilip Nawaz and Priyantha Fernando withdrew from the case, citing personal reasons, further delaying the resolution. The petition challenging Karannagoda’s involvement in the abduction case will now be heard by a new bench of the Court of Appeal in September 2025.
Amid the delays, the victims’ families continue to demand justice, staging protests and writing letters to foreign diplomatic missions, urging international support to hold the perpetrators accountable. Jennifer Weerasinghe, mother of one of the victims, poignantly expressed the despair of the families: “Our only request is for the magistrate to hear the case before we die.”
As the legal system remains gridlocked, the victims’ families remain determined to see justice served, despite the obstacles posed by political connections and entrenched impunity within Sri Lanka’s power structures.
