Govt denies blocking inquiry into aid worker killings

Manjula FERNANDO

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday asserted that an independent inquiry, assisted by foreign forensic experts, was currently on into the aid workers killing in Muttur, countering allegations that it was blocking the probe.

SCOPP Chief Dr. Palitha Kohona said an Australian team of experts were currently in Colombo to assist the Government to carry out a comprehensive inquiry.

"I am absolutely confident that the results of this investigation will be satisfactory to the international community," Dr. Kohona said adding the news reports that the Government was obstructing the probe was 'absolutely untrue.'

"As you all know the government has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into this matter and the Australian Government has provided a range of expertise to assist with the investigation."

In response to a query quoting a statement by SLMM Chief, the SCOPP SG said he was not certain why the SLMM had made such a statement when the Government has done its best to ensure an independent investigation into the incident.

Seventeen workers of the French Charity Action Against Hunger were killed by short range gun fire during the height of violence in Muttur triggered by a lightning LTTE attack in the area recently.

Muttur was under seige by the LTTE for a couple of days and the military alleged the killings to have occurred during this time while the LTTE has claimed otherwise.