Colombo, Sri Lanka – July 2025:
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has formally informed former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that he is expected to provide evidence in the ongoing habeas corpus petition concerning the 2011 disappearance of human rights activists Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Murugananthan.
The two activists disappeared under contentious circumstances in December 2011 in Jaffna, during the period when Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as Defence Secretary. The case has remained a focal point in Sri Lanka’s efforts to address alleged human rights violations during the post-conflict era.
Following the expiration of Rajapaksa’s constitutional immunity, the Supreme Court ordered the reissuance of a summons directing him to testify. The former president is scheduled to appear before the Court on December 15, 2025, to provide his testimony related to the habeas corpus proceedings.
Legal representatives for Rajapaksa have expressed willingness to cooperate but have highlighted concerns over his safety, particularly regarding potential proceedings outside Colombo, including in Jaffna.
This development marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s judicial process, underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to pursuing accountability and transparency in cases involving enforced disappearances.
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