Third theory – Sandaruwan Senadheera
This piece of information contrasted sharply with the position of the Lanka e news editor Sandaruwan Senadheera who said it was to do with Prageeth’s journalistic act. After he fled to the USA, Sandaruwan insisted the abduction related to an investigation Prageeth was conducting regarding the use of chemical weapons by the government in the last stages of the war. On May 12, 2010, Sandaruwan wrote an article titled “Why Prageeth Ekneligoda went missing” to Lanka e news which says it was due to this investigation.
A leaked US diplomatic cable says both ICRC and the Indian High Commissioner had reported that their medical teams treating wounded had come across no evidence of chemical weapons or phosphorous use. The cable was written by US Ambassador Robert O. Blake on April 10. Here this writer quotes it in full; Ambassador forwarded reports from Tamil groups that the GSL has used chemical weapons in fighting to Foreign Secretary Kohona urging the GSL to respond publicly. In a private reply, Kohona categorically denied that the GSL had ever acquired chemical weapons and reported that the government has requested an investigation from the Office for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons into charges of chemical weapons used by the LTTE. (note: any investigation would cover both sides.) Additionally, both ICRC and the Indian Ambassador have reported that their medical teams treating wounded had come across no evidence of CW or phosphorous use.- Blake. Read the full cable here;
http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/04/09COLOMBO 413.html
There is today a great upheaval within the army, among the rank and file, and especially among the top brass. Many jostle to have the spotlight on them as the heroes who defeated the Tamil Tigers. The implosion within the army however started with the move by the former Army Commander, General Sarath Fonseka to enter politics in mid-2009. Fonseka was tried for several offences in three courts martial, and many army officers and rank and file were falling over their boots selling and passing on war crimes evidence and video footage. And yet nothing has so far come up relating to chemical weapons usage. This alone does not disprove the theory that chemical weapons were used but let us just say the jury is still out.