Grave abuses

SOMARATNE RAJAPAKSE and four other soldiers, who were convicted in Krishanthy Kumarasamy murder case in June 1998, identified 20 burial sites around Chemmani in Jaffna in late August and early September. Two human skeletons were found in June from a gravesite in Chemmani identified by Mr Rajapakse. The soldiers say that the bodies of around 125 people murdered in Army custody in 1996 were buried at these sites. Ruhuna University’s Forensic Medicine Professor Chandrasiri Neriella and representatives from Asia Foundation were present during identification of the sites. Excavation of the mass graves is expected to begin on 6 September.

Mr Rajapakse said in his evidence that soldiers stopped a temple priest and his assistant travelling on a motorcycle in Kaithady and after killing them buried their bodies near a temple. It is also said that education officer Selvaratnam and two others - Partheeban and Suthakaran - who came to an Army camp in Jaffna town to obtain travel permits were murdered and buried within the camp. Mr Rajapakse further alleges that Army Major Thudugalle was involved in the torture and murder of many people at a house in Jaffna town.

Fear has been expressed following reports that a new Tamil group, similar to that of the Razik Group in Batticaloa, has been established in Jaffna by the military to hunt Tiger infiltrators. Currently the group has 15 members who had left other Tamil militant groups. They have been issued arms and operate from Urelu Army camp.

Meanwhile, ten other soldiers accused of human rights violations, including rape, protested by climbing on to the roof of the Jaffna prison. They are demanding to be sent to a prison in southern Sri Lanka and early trial.

Next article.
Back to Sri Lanka Monitor Index page
Back to The Refugee Council Welcome page