Breakthrough in Red Cross killings probe

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: In a major breakthrough, Police have identified a prime suspect in the murder of two Red Cross volunteers whose bullet-ridden bodies were found in Kiriella following their abduction in Colombo on June 1.

Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe disclosed to the media that Police investigations point to the involvement of a gang led by Sivakanthan Vivekananthan alias Charan in the killing of Sinnarasa Shanmugalingam (32) and Karthekesu Chandramohan (27) from Batticaloa. The slayings shocked the local and international community.

Charan is still at large. Samarasinghe called for public assistance to trace and nab him. There is a reward of Rs.1

 million.

A poster depicting his picture and details will be displayed island wide.

"This is a major breakthrough and a great achievement of the CID and the Disappearances Investigation Unit. The CID team directed by IGP Victor Perera and CID DIG D.W. Prathapasinghe worked with dedication and within just two and half months completed the inquiry successfully," the Minster said.

It was widely insinuated in the international media that the Security Forces would have had a hand in the killings and the incident was also highlighted by international human rights groups.

The Minister said the Government and the Security Force were mercilessly attacked over the incident. However, the results of the extensive probe into the Red Cross killings indicate that the Government was committed to investigate rights abuses and bring the culprits to book.

Immediately after the incident, President Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the IGP, the CID and the DIU to conduct a full-scale investigation and nab the killers.

"This triumph comes at a time when the international Community is accusing the Government of committing human rights violations. The Government was committed to apprehend the culprits behind all rights violations including the brutal murder of 17 ACF workers," he said. Details about Charan could be forwarded to any police station.