By Keith Noyahr: The Journalist Who Vanished from the Media Scene
Keith Noyahr migrated to Australia, and as friends and family recount, he is still traumatized by the ordeal he endured. There is news circulating that investigations into his abduction are set to reopen, sparking hope that justice will prevail—not only for Keith but for all journalists who have been harassed with impunity.
For over sixteen years, the name Keith Noyahr has been missing from the media landscape. Although he is still alive, his journalistic voice was effectively silenced on May 22, 2008. That fateful night, he was abducted, brutally tortured, and left with no choice but to abandon his career. His crime? Publishing fearless analyses that exposed uncomfortable truths.
The Journalist and His Work
Keith Noyahr was the deputy editor of The Nation, a newspaper published by Rivira Media Corporation, which eventually ceased operations. As a senior journalist covering military affairs, he penned the widely respected Military Matters column under the pseudonym Senpathi, offering incisive commentary on Sri Lanka’s security situation during the height of the war.
The article he published before his abduction, titled “The Army is Not the Private Property of Its Chief”, was a critical analysis of the military and political leadership. Many believe this piece was the catalyst for the events that followed.
The Night of the Abduction
On the evening of May 22, 2008, Keith had dinner with The Nation’s editor, Lalith Alahakoon, and Rivira Media Corporation CEO, Krishantha Cooray, at a restaurant on Duplication Road in Colombo. After dinner, he drove home to Medical Road in Dehiwala. As he parked in front of his house, an armed group ambushed him.
His wife, Roshini, stepped outside to find his car idling, the driver’s door open, but Keith missing. Alarmed, she quickly contacted The Nation’s editorial team. Within moments, the news spread among his colleagues and political contacts.
A Desperate Search for Answers
Krishantha Cooray, realizing the severity of the situation, called then-Minister of Public Administration Karu Jayasuriya, who in turn informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The president immediately contacted his brother, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was serving as the Secretary of Defense.
Meanwhile, efforts to file a police report were met with resistance. The Dehiwala police, under Chief Ranjith Kottachi, hesitated, appearing to await high-level directives. Colombo Crimes Division head Anura Senanayake also clashed with Cooray over the handling of the case.
Despite the police’s reluctance, Keith’s close associates tracked his phone’s last location to Dompe, Dekatana. Relying on personal contacts rather than official law enforcement, they rushed to the area, hoping for a breakthrough.
The Release and Aftermath
By dawn, Keith was released—severely beaten and traumatized. He was immediately admitted to Colombo National Hospital. Yet, even in the hospital, there was no official assurance of his safety.
The abduction sparked national and international outrage. Politicians, media organizations, and civil society groups demanded justice, but no meaningful action was taken. Fearing for his life, Keith fled the country and never returned to journalism.
Investigations Under the Good Governance Government
It wasn’t until 2015, under the newly elected “Good Governance” administration, that the case was revisited. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) uncovered crucial evidence, revealing a premeditated and well-orchestrated abduction.
Court records (Case No. 314, Mt. Lavinia Magistrate’s Court) confirmed key details:
A group in a white van abducted Keith outside his home, blindfolded and handcuffed him.
He was stripped, interrogated, and beaten with pistol butts and batons.
His captors accused him of having links to the LTTE and demanded his sources.
He was eventually released with a chilling warning: “Speak about this, and you will be killed.”
The Role of High-Ranking Officials
Phone records from that night revealed significant calls:
The Nation’s editor, Lalith Alahakoon, attempted to contact President Mahinda Rajapaksa but was unsuccessful.
He then reached out to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who responded dismissively: “Don’t blame my army commandos. This is a woman-related case.”
Gotabaya then called IGP Jayasundara Vikramaratne at 11:36 PM and retired Major General Kapila Hendawitharana, head of National Intelligence, at 11:39 PM.
A Case Still Without Justice
Despite the revelations, the case remains unresolved. Keith Noyahr’s abductors were never brought to justice, and he remains in exile, a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face in Sri Lanka.
His story is not just about one man’s ordeal—it is a testament to the fragility of press freedom and the unchecked power of those who seek to silence the truth.
