Sri Lanka Navy officers remanded over 2008 disappearance case

Two retired female petty officers of the Sri Lanka Navy have been remanded until October 5 in connection with the 2008 disappearance of two women in Trincomalee. The suspects, residents of Chilaw and Haputale, were arrested while appearing before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding a separate matter and were subsequently produced before Trincomalee Chief Magistrate M. S. M. Samsudeen.

The investigation concerns the alleged abduction of Sasikumar Thenmoli and Mary Delsia, residents of the Paalaiyootru area, on or around May 13, 2008. The CID informed the court that investigations suggest the two women were detained at an underground location known as the ‘Gun Site’ within the Trincomalee Naval Base while the suspects were in active service.

The ‘Gun Site’ is described as an unauthorized detention facility located at an old gun emplacement within the naval base, featuring colonial-era underground cells. Former Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne reportedly acknowledged during a CID investigation that the location was not a legally recognized prison. The facility was allegedly operated by a ‘Special Intelligence Unit’ separate from official Naval Intelligence. The magistrate has ordered the suspects to be produced for an identification parade on October 5.