The Gampaha Magistrate’s Court today ordered the release of journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera, editor of the Lanka E News website, from all charges in a long‑running case and lifted the foreign travel ban imposed on him.
Senadheera, who returned to Sri Lanka on March 11, 2026, after living abroad for 16 years, had been arrested upon arrival and later released on bail.
His arrest was carried out based on a warrant issued through Interpol on November 25, 2016, by Gampaha Chief Magistrate Kawindya Nanayakkara, ordering his immediate detention over allegations related to contempt of court.
Although warrants had previously been issued against him, the Criminal Investigation Department informed the court that he was not a party to the case. As a result, the court cleared him of all charges and lifted restrictions on his travel.
Senadheera left Sri Lanka in March 2010 following threats that emerged after the abduction of Lanka E News journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda. While overseas, he continued to operate the news outlet, which was later destroyed in an arson attack in 2011. His return earlier this month marked his first visit to Sri Lanka in 16 years. (Newswire)