In brief
Alcohol deaths
Fifty eight people died in Batticaloa District on 31 August by methyl alcohol poisoning after drinking in licensed liquor bars. Over 470 were admitted to hospitals. Police sealed seven bars and arrested 11 people.
Illegal
The Supreme Court declared on 19 August that the arrest and detention of former UNP Housing minister Sirisena Cooray were illegal. Mr Cooray was arrested on 16 June on allegations of conspiracy to assassinate President Chandrika Kumaratunge.
Sentenced
Arunasalam Surendran, accused of conspiracy in the Colombo Joint Operations Command (JOC) military headquarters bombing case was sentenced by the High Court on 29 August to 27 years imprisonment. LTTE suicide cadre rammed the JOC with a van packed with explosives in June 1991 killing 23 and wounding 150.
Indicted
Seven Army officers charged with the abduction and murder of 31 school boys in Embilipitiya in December 1989 at the height of the People’s Liberation Front (JVP) insurrection, were indicted before the High Court in August.
Recommended
The US Senate recommended to the Clinton administration in early August that the LTTE should be listed as a terrorist organisation.
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