Probe on Major Prabath Bulathwatte to continue

An investigation being conducted on Major Prabath Bulathwatte will continue, the Army said today.

The Committee to Protect Journalists yesterday expressed alarm that a Sri Lankan military intelligence official?who, according to news reports and court documents, is linked to attacks on at least three journalists?was restored to active duty.

Prabath Bulathwatte?s reinstatement as a major was announced on May 11 by Army Chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake in an interview with a news broadcaster.

However, speaking to reporters today, the Army Commander said that Major Prabath Bulathwatte has not been reinstated to the intelligence service.

He said that he had taken Bulathwatte under him as his services are required at this moment.

However, he said that ongoing investigations into Bulathwatte will still continue.

In 2017, authorities arrested five military intelligence officers in relation to the 2008 abduction and assault of columnist Keith Noyahr, CPJ reported at the time.

Maj. Bulathwatte was among the suspects, according to the Centre for Policy Alternatives, an independent think tank in the capital, Colombo. During the investigation, police found evidence linking the men to the 2009 murder of Sunday Leader editor Lasantha Wickramatunga, according to news reports.