Lanka e News editor arrested at Katunayake Airport to be handed over to CID

2026-03-11 - 16:59

The editor of Lanka e News, who was arrested this afternoon (11) by the Katunayake Police upon his arrival in the country after living overseas, will shortly be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo, police sources said. He is scheduled to be produced before court tomorrow (12). It is also reported that he is currently being held at the Katunayake Police Station. Sandaruwan Senadheera, editor of the Lanka e News website, was arrested at the Katunayake Airport this afternoon (11) when he arrived in the country after 16 years. He had fled Sri Lanka and lived overseas seeking protection for his life due to continuous threats following the disappearance of Lanka e News editorial staff member Prageeth Eknaligoda and the arson attack that destroyed the media institution during the Rajapaksa administration. ‘Ensure the safety of the e News editor’ – Free Media Movement Meanwhile, the Free Media Movement, issuing a media statement, has called on the government to ensure the safety of the Lanka e News editor. The statement, signed by the organisation’s Convener, Lasantha de Silva and Secretary Dilisha Abeysundara, states as follows: “Lanka e News editor Sandaruwan Senadheera, who returned to the island after living abroad for a long period, has been arrested by the police. It is stated that the arrest was carried out in accordance with a court order. Journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera had remained outside the country for a long period due to death threats he faced as a result of his journalistic work. Therefore, the Free Media Movement believes that his life and personal safety must be ensured even while he is in police custody. According to media reports we have examined, the court order for his arrest had been issued in 2016. However, it has not yet been confirmed to us whether the present arrest has been carried out in relation to that order. Accordingly, the Free Media Movement calls on the authorities to ensure his safety while also safeguarding his right to an impartial and fair legal process.”