Former Sri Lankan Navy Commander Arrested in Connection with Wartime Disappearance



Former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral (Retired) Nishantha Ulugetenne, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on July 28, 2025, in connection with an investigation into a wartime disappearance. The arrest has drawn significant attention as it marks the first high-profile case since the National People's Power (NPP) government came to power in 2024.


The 58-year-old retired admiral was taken into custody over allegations relating to the disappearance of a youth from the Pothuhera area during his tenure as Director of Naval Intelligence. According to officials, the incident dates back to a period when Ulugetenne served in naval intelligence, and the alleged victim was reportedly held in a clandestine detention facility operated under his command.


Police sources indicate that the investigation was initiated based on a letter allegedly sent from the detention center, and several suspects have already been arrested in connection with the case. The Criminal Investigation Department has been conducting this inquiry into what authorities describe as a wartime disappearance.


Admiral Ulugetenne was produced before the Polgahawela Magistrate's Court on July 28, where he was initially remanded until July 30. Following a subsequent court appearance, his remand was extended until August 13, 2025. The court proceedings have been conducted with standard legal protocols, and the accused has been afforded proper legal representation.


Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne served as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from July 15, 2020, to December 18, 2022. A graduate of Royal College, Colombo, he joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet in 1985 and had a distinguished 37-year military career. His service record includes multiple senior positions, notably as Director of Naval Intelligence for more than three consecutive years following the humanitarian operation against the LTTE.


During his naval career, Ulugetenne specialized in gunnery and missiles and played a key role in introducing guided missile capability to the naval fleet. He held several advanced degrees, including a Master's in Defence Studies from King's College London, a Master's in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.


Following his retirement from the navy, Ulugetenne was appointed as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Cuba in February 2024 by then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He had been serving in this diplomatic capacity until his arrest.


It is important to note that Admiral Ulugetenne has not been convicted of any charges, and the court has not yet declared him responsible for the accusations. The legal proceedings are currently in the investigative stage, and the former naval commander maintains the presumption of innocence under Sri Lankan law until proven guilty in a court of law.


The investigation continues under the supervision of the Criminal Investigation Department, and further developments in the case are expected as the legal process unfolds. The matter remains subject to judicial determination, and all parties involved are entitled to due process under Sri Lankan law.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

LTTE’s Use of Child Soldiers: A Grave Violation of Human Rights

Image
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand condemned not only for their violent insurgency but also for their ruthless exploitation of children as soldiers during Sri Lanka’s civil war.  While the conflict officially ended in 2009, the scars left by the LTTE’s forced recruitment of thousands of children remain a painful reminder of their terror tactics. During the war, the LTTE systematically abducted and conscripted children-some as young as 11 or 12-forcing them into brutal military training and deploying them on front lines.  Human Rights Watch reported that children were often taken from their homes at night or seized while going to school, with families threatened or beaten if they resisted.  Once recruited, these children faced harsh discipline, exposure to violence, and were denied contact with their families. UNICEF documented thousands of such cases, with estimates suggesting the actual numbers were even higher due to underreporting. The LTTE’s use of chil...
Read more

Former UK Cabin Crew Member Arrested in Sri Lanka with £1.15 Million Cannabis Haul

Image
Sri Lankan authorities have detained Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former air stewardess from South London, at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on charges of attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of cannabis into the country. The drugs, valued at approximately £1.15 million, were found packed in vacuum-sealed bags inside two large suitcases after Lee arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Officials from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit described the seizure as the largest amount of Kush cannabis ever discovered at the airport. Kush is a potent strain often mixed with synthetic substances and is believed to be destined for high-end buyers within Sri Lanka. Lee, who previously worked for TUI Group and has recently been training as a beautician, remains in custody while investigations continue. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it is providing consular support to Lee and is in contact with her family and Sri Lankan authorities. Friends of Le...
Read more

The LTTE's Campaign of Terror: How a Designated Terrorist Organization Pioneered Modern Suicide Bombing

Image
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stands as one of history's most ruthless terrorist organizations, having systematically violated human rights and pioneered suicide bombing tactics that would later be adopted by terrorist groups worldwide. Designated as a terrorist organization by 33 countries, including Sri Lanka, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, India, and all 27 member nations of the European Union, the LTTE's three-decade reign of terror in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist violence. Origins and Rise of a Terror Network Founded in 1976 by Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE emerged from earlier militant groups established in the 1970s . What began as a small outfit of 40-50 members in the early 1980s evolved into one of the world's most sophisticated and tightly organized insurgent groups. The organization's transformation into a terror network accelerated following the 1983 ethnic riots, which the LTTE e...
Read more