A lieutenant colonel in the Army, who is presently in remand custody over the enforced disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, is responsible for his murder.

Sampath, who wrote for Lakbima, Sathdina, Aratuwa newspapers was abducted and the body found in Dehiwala with gunshot wounds in the head on 01 July 2006.

As a defence and crime correspondent he had close connections with top police and military officials.

On 30 June 2006, he had been taking dinner at his home at Werahera, Boralesgamuwa where he lived with his mother, when he received a call from a friendly military officer.

He had left, telling his mother that he was going to meet a friend.

But, on the way, he was kidnapped by a group from the Army.

Police found three 9 mm bullets from the murder scene at Jayawardena Road, Dehiwala.

CID Investigations point to a dispute over certain information had led to his killing.

He was murdered to the want of one of the two lieutenant colonels under arrest over the Ekneligoda incident.