In 2008, eleven wealthy Tamil youths were kidnapped from the Colombo area and subsequently disappeared. The abductors demanded ransom from their families, threatening to kill the hostages if their demands were not met.
Key Suspects and Investigation
The main suspect arrested in connection with these kidnappings and disappearances is Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, a naval officer. Reports indicate that the kidnapped youths were held at naval camps in Colombo and Trincomalee.
Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, the Navy Commander, was reportedly fully aware of the abductions. Investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) revealed that the youths were held at locations where former Navy spokesperson D.K.P. Dassanayake and Commander Sumith Ranasinghe were stationed.
Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando, Secretary to Navy Commander Karannagoda, initiated an investigation following a complaint by Parliamentarian Felix Perera regarding the disappearances. Fernando claimed that Karannagoda did nothing to release the illegally detained youths at the Trincomalee naval camp.
Furthermore, it was reported that Karannagoda closely monitored key witnesses, including naval officers who provided statements. Karannagoda became the second high-ranking officer named as a suspect, following former Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunawardena.
Arrest and Financial Irregularities
Rear Admiral Wijegunawardena faced arrest orders from Magistrate court. The primary suspect, Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, allegedly received Rs. 500,000 to flee the country. Upon his arrest, several fake identification documents were found in his possession.
Karannagoda had a personal conflict with his assistant Sampath Munasinghe, which escalated amidst political tensions. Karannagoda lodged a police complaint regarding the disappearance of five youths.
Though not directly involved in the kidnappings or murders, Rear Admiral Wijegunawardena faced accusations of covering up the incident and providing funds to the suspects.
Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah, who succeeded Wijegunawardena as Navy Commander, asserted a zero-tolerance policy towards crimes disguised as war efforts. However, he was removed from his position within two months.
Profiles of the Missing Youths
- John Reed, 21, Wattala
- Amalan Leon, 50, Kotahena
- Roshan Leon, 21, Kotahena
- Rajiv Naganadan, 21, Dehiwala
- P. Vishvanadan, 18, Dehiwala
- P. Ramalingam, 17, Dehiwala
- Mohamed Sajid, 21, Dehiwala
- Jayamaldeen Dilhan, Dehiwala
- Mohamed Ali Anwar, 22, Dehiwala
- Anton, 48, Kotahena
- Thiyagaraj Jagan, 32, Jinthupitiya
Investigation Challenges and Testimonies
CID investigations failed to gather crucial information from key suspect Lieutenant Commander Sedililage Don Sumedha Sampath Dayananda, a naval intelligence officer. Dayananda was implicated in the abduction of two Tamil youths, using one of the victims’ phones for several months. He was stationed at the Welisara naval camp during this period. Dayananda claimed he was never questioned by the CID.
Anonymous naval officers provided information linking Dayananda to the kidnappings, but Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the then Navy Commander, protected him from being presented to the CID.
Personal Accounts
Sarojini Naganandan, the mother of Rajiv Naganandan, recounts the night her son and four other boys were abducted on September 17, 2008. Rajiv was set to leave for England the following day to pursue his ambition of becoming a doctor. She describes how armed men, led by Sampath Hettiarachchi, surrounded their car and abducted the boys. Rajiv later called his mother from captivity, detailing their capture and transfer between naval camps.
Former Minister Felix Perera, involved in seeking answers, expressed hope for a resolution. He emphasized the need for justice and closure for the families, urging authorities to expedite the legal process.
Statements from Sarojini Naganandan
“My name is Sarojini Naganandan, and I live in Kotahena, Colombo. My son, Rajiv Naganandan, was one of the boys kidnapped on September 17, 2008. He was born on March 30, 1987, and was studying at an international school in Colombo. Rajiv aspired to become a doctor and was scheduled to leave for England the day after he disappeared.
“On the night of the abduction, we were hosting a farewell party at home for his friends. After the party, Rajiv and four of his friends left in a car to get a haircut and meet another friend. Their car was stoppeed by armed men, including Sampath Hettiarachchi, who kidnapped them. Rajiv called me shortly after to inform me of the situation. I tried calling him back later, but his phone was turned off. We reported the incident to the police the next day.
“On December 14, 2009, Rajiv unexpectedly called us, explaining how they were captured by Sampath Munasinghe and handed over to Hettiarachchi. They were held at Welisara and later transferred to a naval camp in Trincomalee. Despite providing all this information to the police, nothing was done.
“Minister Felix Perera, a family friend, contacted Shemal Fernando, the Navy Commander’s personal secretary, who inquired about Rajiv’s ID card. I showed them the ID and explained everything Rajiv had told me. Despite being promised an investigation, nothing happened. Fernando later claimed that the situation was too dire due to the war, promising to look into it once things settled down.”
Statements from Former Minister Felix Perera
“I have connections with the Navy because our company supplied food to them. I personally knew the Navy Commander and informed him about the incident. He showed sympathy and promised to investigate, but he retired soon after. I also informed his successor, who similarly promised to help.
“This incident has tarnished Sri Lanka’s reputation internationally. These families deserve justice and closure, and I urge the judiciary to expedite the resolution.”
Sources for Further Study
– [Vikalpa](https://www.vikalpa.org/article/35870)
– [BBC Sinhala](https://www.bbc.com/sinhala/articles/cglvv267v4jo)
– [Neth News](https://www.nethnews.lk/article/60898)
– [Sunday Observer](https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2018/09/03/news-features/after-explosive-revelations-court-navy-11-youth-abduction-case-families)
– [Sri Lanka Brief](https://srilankabrief.org/11-youth-abductions-by-sri-lanka-navy-parents-of-the-missing-protest-near-sc/)
– [Colombo Telegraph](https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/11-student-abduction-case-sinhala-mother-of-abducted-youth-pens-her-agony-following-gotas-candidacy/)
– [Groundviews](https://groundviews.org/2023/12/31/murder-for-money-the-case-of-the-forcibly-disappeared-navy-11/)
