Aid workers' killings shame government

The killing fields of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's thriving abductions 'industry' has taken a fresh turn with two Tamil humanitarian workers of the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) being abducted and killed in broad daylight.

Sinnaraja Shanmuganathan (38) and Karthikesu Chandramohan (26), have been associated with the Batticaloa branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) Society for several years. But when they took a trip to Colombo to attend a workshop on tsunami reconstruction work conducted by the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) national headquarters, they did not know that it was to be their final journey, and one that would take them to their maker.

The two youths were waiting for the Batticaloa train after participating at a workshop for Red Cross workers at Mount Lavinia when fate beckoned. While waiting to board a train that was to carry them back to their hometown Batticaloa, they were abducted on June 1 by a group of persons travelling in a "white van". Their bodies with gunshot injuries were recovered the following day from a tea estate in Kiriella in the Ratnapura District.

Though significantly conditioned to the continuing violence, the two deaths sent shockwaves down the collective spines of the community, given the fact that Sri Lanka is fast becoming a lawless state with no respect for human security.

Sri Lanka's reputation plunges

It has clearly altered the "style" of abductions so far carried out, and brought to light the human tragedy continuing in Sri Lanka, notes UNP Parliamentarian and member of the Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC), Lakshman Kiriella. He adds that the sheer disrespect for human life coupled with the country's inability to protect the lives of international humanitarian workers have brought extreme disrepute to Sri Lanka. "We are hitting rock bottom in safeguarding human rights," he lamented.

Following the killings of the 17 aid workers in Muttur, the international community placed Sri Lanka under its microscopic gaze, and with this, needless to say, the displeasure the country would suffer as one that is falling apart at the very seams.

The response of the Sri Lankan President was to cry foul, blaming interested parties of yet another conspiracy to discredit him and his government.

Sri Lanka's Presidential Secretariat, in a media release issued in response to the killing of the volunteers said, "The timing of the abduction and later killing of the two Red Cross volunteer workers last weekend seems to be clearly aimed at discrediting both President Mahinda Rajapakse and the government on the issue of human rights violations, and tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka abroad."

In the meantime, on Tuesday (5), an attempt was made by Chief Opposition Whip, Joseph Michael Perera to raise  the matter in parliament. He was denied the opportunity for his failure to give due notice to the House.

UNP reveals government's role

However, senior UNP Parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne, spilled the beans in parliament during the emergency extension debate on Wednesday (6) alleging a direct government link to the abduction and killing of the two volunteers.

He told parliament that questions were now being raised about a certain Nishantha Gajanayake for assisting in the crime under the alleged instructions of DIG Colombo, Rohan Abeywardena, who also received his instructions from the "man at the helm of defence affairs."

"There is enough reason to believe that Gajanayake carried out some secret missions. He occupied Room 706 at the Holiday Inn, Colombo, and the SLRC volunteers also stayed at the same hotel during the early part of the programme," Seneviratne alleged.

He further alleged that Gajanayake's bills were settled by one Gajadeera who also occupied a room in the hotel. "The connections are too many to rule out a government role. There is so much that is being hidden by this government because killing and abducting of perssons is now a chief function of this government that has no respect for law and order," alleged Seneviratne.

Bringing in a further link to the recent abductions, Seneviratne told parliament that the two Muslim businessmen recently abducted in Kandy too were victims of the state security establishment. He alleged that the abductees secured their release only after paying Rs. 27.5 million as ransom money. "There is strong suspicion that the abductions were carried out by the security personnel of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella," he alleged.

Seneviratne urges probe on Gotabhaya

Seneviratne also insisted that a select committee be urgently appointed to probe the activities of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, against whom many allegations including a series of abductions and corruption charges have been made.

Strangely enough, the government did not defend against to the serious allegations levelled by Seneviratne, though Rambukwella attempted to clear his bodyguards' names from being tainted by the allegation of abductions.

The police in the meantime, went on record linking the Karuna faction to the unfortunate incident, claiming that the vehicle used in the abduction belonged to the Karuna group. 

Sabaragamuwa Province DIG Sarath Perera, is on record stating that the police had identified the number of the vehicle used in the abduction, and suspects that the vehicle was being used by the Karuna faction. The police also said that the vehicle had been seen in the area on the day of the crime.

While the police was looking for a scapegoat, the Karuna faction vehemently denied the charge. Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pullikal (TMVP) Peace Secretariat Chief, Mahesh, was recently reported as having said that one of the murdered aid workers,  Chandramohan was his cousin. Mahesh had alleged that it was an easy way out for many to blame the Karuna faction, as there were too many "enemies" of the group.

CMC ridicules government

Responding to these allegations, Convenor, Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC), Mano Ganesan, says that it is hilarious to have the state now trading charges with the Karuna group. "We all know that they are hand in glove, and that most of these violations are their own barbaric work. There is government complicity and there is proof to substantiate what I say," claims Ganesan.

Meanwhile, the CID has recorded statements from four fellow workers who were with the two victims at the Fort Railway Station when the abductions took place. According to the witnesses' account, five persons claiming to be CID officers had arrived at the Fort Railway Station in a white van and had forcibly dragged them towards the van. The CID officers had been in great haste, and before anyone could recover from the shock of what was happening, had dragged the two volunteers away.

However, DIG, Criminal Investigations Department (CID), W.B. Prathapasingha has publicly denied any involvement of the CID in the arrest of the victims. According to Prathapasingha a special police team has been dispatched to Batticaloa to record the statements of the witnesses.

Ministers warn government

With the abduction scenario going from bad to worse two government ministers issued a severe warning last Thursday (7). Minister of Posts, Rauf Hakeem who has been regularly raising charges of forced resettlement in the northeast told parliament that if the situation does not improve immediately, the SLMC which he heads, will be compelled to take a drastic decision.

CWC Member and Deputy Minister of Vocational Training, P. Radhakrishnan also hinted at having to part ways unless the situation improved immediately.  He also told parliament on Thursday that it was becoming a political embarrassment to be a part of the government at a time when the Tamil community was collectively being targeted and sent out of their homes in the night, under the guise of security concerns.

In the meantime, with more Tamils fleeing the country, CMC Convenor Mano Ganesan adds, "This government does not understand that people who come to Colombo and stay in lodges are mostly those seeking employment overseas or seeking refuge. The government's actions now prove that Tamils are not wanted in Colombo and that they are to be evicted. This is the second phase of the abductions that are continuing."

Warning that volunteer organisations may not wish to operate in Sri Lanka at this rate, CMC member Lakshman Kiriella fears serious repercussions if aid workers pull out altogether.

Killing of aid workers recalled

"We cannot forget the killing of the 17 aid workers which is still a mystery. There are dissenting reports on those killings. International humanitarian laws guarantee immunity to volunteer workers like those victimised recently from being dragged into conflict, and being victimised by the conflict. We are now portraying ourselves as a fragmented and lawless nation," noted Kiriella.

Mano Ganesan adds, "The last straw is the eviction of Tamils that had followed a spate of abductions and extortions that could not have continued without state complicity at some level. The message is clear. Sri Lanka is unsafe for all, not just Tamils," he concludes, adding that Tamils are being forced to recognise the LTTE as their saviours due to the government's covert and overt acts.