The PA alleges that it was a political assassination, pointing an accusing finger at the ruling United National Front (UNF). While Interior minister John Amaratunge promised an independent enquiry, police say the killing was carried out by a Colombo criminal gang which has the protection of powerful politicians. Inspector General of Police TE Anantharajah has directed the formation of four police teams to investigate.
According to the police, 28 criminal gangs operating in Colombo and surroundings were responsible for 30% of the 350 murders between January and April. A 30-member special police team has been formed to take on the gangs. Observers say criminal gangs are connected to highly placed politicians and this will make the task of the special team extremely difficult.
Meanwhile, the problems of Tamil detainees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) continue. In Kalutara prison some detainees began a hunger strike from 3 May. Ramesh Surendran’s condition deteriorated and was admitted to the prison hospital in mid-May. There are 71 detainees in Kalutara under the PTA. The hunger strike ended on 19 May after Prisons Commissioner Gen. Rumy Marzook promised to speak about their cases to the Attorney General.
Colombo MP Mano Ganeshan who visited the prison on 1 May has written to Tiger political leader SP Thamilchelvan, urging the LTTE to take up the issue of Tamil political prisoners with the government. Kalutara detainee S Lingaratnam was arrested in July 1992. During his 11-year detention, without charge or trial, his father died and the family has become destitute. AE Rosairo was arrested in Batticaloa in January 2000. He had suffered severe torture in custody at Iruthayapuram Army camp and by intelligence officers in Colombo. He had also been forced to sign a confession under torture in Sinhala language, which he does not understand.
Eight Tamil women detainees, including Selvathy Sabaratnam, 54, are held at Welikada prison in Colombo. Another detainee Vasanthy Ragupathy says she and her husband suffered brutal torture at the dreaded Fourth Floor of the police headquarters for 19 days. They were forced to sign confessions. Batticaloa resident Sarojini alleges that she was raped in custody by three policemen.