Latest news with #Ulugetenne
Express Tribune
28-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief
Sri Lankan investigators arrested a former navy chief on Monday over the abduction and disappearance of a suspect 15 years ago, a police officer told AFP. Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was taken into custody over the disappearance in 2010, when he headed the Directorate of Naval Intelligence, said a detective who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media. Ulugetenne, who also served as Sri Lanka's ambassador to Cuba following his retirement from the navy in December 2022, was remanded in custody until Wednesday. "We recorded a statement from him regarding the disappearance of a 48-year-old man in 2010 and he was later arrested," he said. Ulugetenne's arrest comes after an investigation into another former navy chief, Wasantha Karannagoda, which drew attention to extrajudicial killings during Sri Lanka's 37-year Tamil separatist war. The killings have been raised at consecutive UN Human Rights Council meetings, which have called for independent investigations into atrocities committed during the separatist conflict. AFP
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Straits Times
Sri Lanka arrests ex-navy chief over abduction
Find out what's new on ST website and app. COLOMBO - Sri Lankan investigators arrested a former navy chief on July 28 over the abduction and disappearance of a suspect 15 years ago, a police officer told AFP. Nishantha Ulugetenne was taken into custody over the disappearance in 2010, when he headed the Directorate of Naval Intelligence, said a detective who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to media. Ulugetenne, who served as Sri Lanka's ambassador to Cuba following his retirement from the navy in December 2022, was remanded in custody until July 30. 'We recorded a statement from him regarding the disappearance of a 48-year-old man in 2010 and he was later arrested,' he said. Ulugetenne's arrest comes after an investigation into another former navy chief, Mr Wasantha Karannagoda, which drew attention to extrajudicial killings during Sri Lanka's 37-year Tamil separatist war. The killings have been raised at consecutive UN Human Rights Council meetings, which have called for independent investigations into atrocities committed during the separatist conflict. Mr Karannagoda was sanctioned by Britain in March 2025 over alleged human rights abuses during the ethnic war, which ended in 2009. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care The Sri Lankan government dropped charges against him in October 2021 in a similar case involving at least 11 victims. Mr Karannagoda was accused of abducting and murdering 11 men between 2008 and 2009, after extorting money from their relatives. Court records from 2019 showed that the 11 victims were killed while in the illegal custody of the navy, although their bodies were never found. Investigators believe the true number of victims from the abductions and killings to be at least three times higher. The police said the victims had no links to ethnic Tamil separatist rebels and were kidnapped purely to extort money from their wealthy families. Military figures have been widely accused of extrajudicial killings during the war. The final days of the offensive against the Tamil rebels were marked by serious abuses, according to rights groups. A UN panel has said that up to 40,000 civilians may have been killed during the period. AFP
