Twenty years after 17 aid workers from the French humanitarian association Action contre la Faim (ACF) were killed in Muttur, eastern Sri Lanka, the authorities must finally deliver truth, justice and reparations, Amnesty International said.

Issuing a statement, Amnesty International said that on 4 August 2006, 17 Sri Lankan employees of ACF, 16 Tamils and one Muslim, were found shot dead at close range at the organization’s office. 

Despite repeated investigations and commitments by successive governments, no one has been brought to justice for the killings. This prolonged failure has denied victims’ families their right to truth and justice, and undermined confidence in the rule of law and the authorities’ commitment to justice for war crimes, it said. 

“Twenty years is far too long for families to wait for justice. For two decades, those who lost their loved ones have carried the burden of grief while the Sri Lankan authorities have failed to deliver accountability,” said Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia. 

“The twentieth anniversary must not become another milestone marked only by remembrance. It should mark the moment when the authorities finally demonstrate that no one is above the law and that crimes under international law and serious human rights violations will no longer be met with impunity.” 

The ACF employees had remained in Muttur to provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by the armed conflict and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, despite escalating hostilities between the Sri Lankan government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). 

Amnesty International further said that over the past two decades, despite repeated official commitments, domestic investigations (which included a magisterial inquiry, a human rights commission probe, and a commission of inquiry), no accountability for the killing has been established.  

Amnesty International reiterated calls made by ACF and urges the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial and effective criminal investigation into the killings, consistent with international human rights law and standards. 

Any renewed investigation must be capable of identifying and prosecuting those suspected of criminal responsibility in fair trials before civilian courts. Victims’ families and witnesses must be able to meaningfully participate in the process and must be guaranteed full protection, it said. 

The organization added that the authorities should also publicly explain the steps taken to date and set out how they intend to overcome the long-standing obstacles that have prevented justice up to now. 

In 2008, ACF observed that the investigations set up at the time had “little or no chance of establishing officially the persons criminally responsible for this war crime (direct perpetrators and chain of command)” and considered that they “proved ineffective and unproductive.” Afterwards ACF decided to end its mission in Sri Lanka and called for an international investigation. Ending impunity for the Muttur massacre is essential not only for the victims’ families, but also for restoring confidence in Sri Lanka’s justice system and signalling a decisive break from the longstanding impunity for crimes under international law and grave human rights violations, Amnesty International noted. 

Ahead of the twentieth anniversary, Action contre la Faim and other human rights organizations have renewed calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure an effective investigation into the killings and deliver truth and justice for the victims and their families. (Newswire)

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Two women were reported dead in separate incidents in the Rajanganaya and Bandarawela on Monday. 

According to the Police, a 49-year-old woman was killed in the Angamuwa area of Rajanganaya yesterday, after being attacked with a sharp weapon. She was attacked outside her mother’s residence and died on admission to the Yaya 05 Hospital. 

The victim had been living separately from her husband for several months due to a family dispute. Investigations revealed that she was attacked while her husband and elder son were away at a wedding. 

The body of the victim has been placed at the Yaya 05 Hospital morgue, while the Rajanganaya Police has launched an investigation to arrest the suspects.

Meanwhile, the Police discovered a charred female body in the Hingala Estate area of Ballaketuwa, Bandarawela Police Division, yesterday.

The body was found in a tea estate at Galpita Kanda. Authorities said the victim’s identity has not yet been established as the body was severely burned beyond recognition. 

The remains have been placed at the Badulla Hospital morgue. The Ballaketuwa Police has launched an investigation. (Newswire)

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Two murders have been reported in the Kalutara North and Kuliyapitiya areas on Sunday, the Police said. 

A 45-year-old resident of Panapitiya, Kalutara North, was reported dead after being attacked at his house by an unknown group. 

The Police said the man had been asleep inside his house when the suspects had broken into the house and attacked him with sharp weapons.

The victim who sustained serious injuries had died after being admitted to the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital. 

The cause of the murder is yet to be ascertained, while the Kalutara North Police are conducting investigations to apprehend the suspects.

Meanwhile, a 44-year-old woman was reported dead after being attacked with a sharp weapon in the Walpitagama area in Kuliyapitiya. 

According to the Police, the woman’s husband had attacked her with a mammoty during a family dispute. 

The Police have arrested the 43-year-old suspect, while the Kuliyapitiya Police are conducting further investigations. (Newswire)

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An individual alleged to have transported gunmen on motorcycles in four murders in the Dehiwala and Mount Lavinia areas has been arrested with 15 grams of ice drugs.

Maheshitha Perera, alias “Janaya,” was arrested by the Mount Lavinia Crime Investigation Unit with 15 grams of ICE drugs in his possession. Police said he had reportedly received a contract of Rs. 500,000 for one murder.

The suspect, a close associate of the criminal “Kos Malli,” is reportedly being questioned under a 7-day detention order. (Newswire)

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Two murders have been reported in separate areas in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today. 

A 54-year-old man has died by suicide after murdering his 82-year-old mother by attacking her with a sharp object in the Godakawela area yesterday.

The Police said the man had attacked his mother after an argument over a personal dispute had escalated. 

Investigations had been launched to arrest the suspect who had fled the area following the incident, during which he had died by suicide using a locally manufactured firearm in the Udawalawa area.

Meanwhile, a 28-year-old youth was reported dead after being attacked with a sharp object in the Kokilai area yesterday.

The Police said the victim had been consuming alcohol with another person when an argument had ensued resulting in the other person attacking the victim with a sharp object.

A 41-year-old resident of Maskeliya has been arrested in connection to the death. (Newswire)

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Two teenagers, aged 17 and 18 years old, have been arrested in connection to two separate murders reported in the Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts, in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today. 

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in the Bandaragama area in Oyamaduwa, Anuradhapura over the murder of a 26-year-old man.

The Police said the Oyamaduwa Police had been informed that the victim had died due to being attacked with a sharp object.

Preliminary investigations reveal that the victim had been attacked after an argument between two parties had escalated. 

The deceased is a 26-year-old resident of Bandaragama, while the suspect is a 17-year-old from the same area. The Oyamaduwa Police is conducting investigations. 

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old boy has been arrested over the murder of a 45-year-old man in the Omanthai area in Vavuniya. 

The Police said the 45-year-old man had been attacked with a sharp weapon and had succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the Vavuniya Hospital. 

Preliminary investigations reveal that a group that had arrived in a double cab had attacked the victim with sharp weapons due to a personal dispute, resulting in his death. 

The Police had arrested an 18-year-old boy from Vavuniya, along with the double cab used by the suspects, in connection to the murder. 

The Omanthai Police has launched investigations to arrest the other suspects involved in the incident. (Newswire)

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Five suspects have been arrested for the death of an individual in the Ekala area in Ja-Ela on Monday. 

The Police said the suspects had attacked the victim with a sharp object, after which he had succumbed to injuries upon admission to the Ragama Hospital.

One suspect has been arrested over the murder, while four others have been arrested on charges of aiding. Officials from the Ja-Ela Police had also seized two machetes, 04 wooden poles, and two aluminium poles from the suspects’ possession. 

The arrested suspects are aged 22, 33, 45, 48, and 65 years, and are residents of Ja-Ela. The Ja-Ela Police is conducting further investigations. 

Meanwhile, the driver of a lorry and his assistant have been arrested over the death of a 68-year-old resident of Nikaweratiya on October 11. 

Police investigations found that the victim had left for the Nikaweratiya Hospital on a bicycle, and had been knocked down by the lorry. Instead of admitting the victim to the hospital, the driver of the lorry and his assistant disposed of his body at a Teak estate in the Pallama area.

Investigations into the death had led to the arrest of the two suspects at the Nikaweratiya town on Monday. The Nikaweratiya Police is conducting investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Three murders have been reported in separate areas in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today. 

A 30-year-old man has died following a clash between two groups in the Payirikkulama area in Parasangaswewa last evening.

Police investigations reveal that the victim had been at his friend’s house, at the time when a group who had been in dispute with the friend, had entered the house leading to an argument resulting in a brawl involving sharp objects.

Four persons injured in the brawl were hospitalised, after which the victim succumbed to injuries at the Anuradhapura Hospital. Two of the injured have been arrested by the Police.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old woman was reported dead after being attacked by her husband in the Avissawella area last evening.

Police investigations reveal that the suspect had attacked the woman over a family dispute. The suspect has been arrested over the murder.

Moreover, a 25-year-old boy was reported dead after being attacked with a sharp weapon in the Rathgama area last evening.

The Police said the victim who was found injured in the Sirikandurawatte area had been admitted to the Aarachchikanda Hospital, where he had succumbed to injuries.

The Rathgama Police has launched investigations to apprehend the suspects wanted in connection to the murder. (Newswire)

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Five Police officers of the Bharathipuram Police Station in Kantale have been sentenced to life imprisonment with rigorous labour over the deaths of eight area residents by an armed group, nearly 26 years after the incident.

According to the national newspaper Lankadeepa, the five officers had arrested the victims and brought them to the Police Station accusing the victims of having attacked their Police post.

During the detention, an armed group is reported to have killed the victims at the Police Station in the presence of the Police officers in 1998. 

Anuradhapura High Court Judge Manoj Thalgodapitiya on Friday, sentenced to life imprisonment with rigorous labour the five Police Officers, including the OIC of the Bharathipuram Police Station.

The five police officers were charged with unlawful assembly with the intention to commit murder.

However, the court ordered that only two accused police officers be acquitted and released from the case. (Newswire)

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Four murders have been reported in the last 48 hours ending at 06.00 am today, according to the Police.

A 23-year-old boy who had attempted to mediate an argument between two parties has died after being stabbed with a sharp object in the Galewala area early this morning.

The boy who had sustained serious injuries in the attack had died upon admission to the Galewala Hospital.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old boy has died after being attacked by his uncle over an old dispute, in the Hakmana area early this morning. 

The boy had died after being transferred to the Kamburupitiya Hospital, while the suspect is said to have fled the area.

Furthermore, a 37-year-old man was killed after being attacked with a knife and a pair of scissors in the Elayapaththuwa area last evening.

Police investigations have revealed that the man had been attacked during an argument between two parties who were consuming alcohol at the time. A 43-year-old man has been arrested over the death. 

Also, a 41-year-old man has been killed after being attacked with a sharp object in the Serunuwara area last night over an extra-marital affair.

Investigations have revealed that the man had been attacked by the husband of the woman he was romantically involved with.

The suspect has been identified as a 30-year-old resident of Serunuwara and the Serunuwara Police has launched an investigation to apprehend the man. (Newswire)

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Two murders have been reported in the Suriyawewa and Elpitiya areas within the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today. 

The Police stated that a 29-year-old man was found dead with cut wounds at his residence in Koggala, Suriyawewa last afternoon.

Investigations have revealed that the man had been attacked by his younger brother over a personal dispute.

The 24-year-old suspect has been apprehended after surrendering to the Police, while the Suriyawewa Police are conducting investigations. 

Meanwhile, the body of a 47-year-old man with cut injuries was found near the Paraththawala Bridge in the Welyaya area in Elpitiya last evening.

The Police stated that the body was found with injuries to the head and hands, while it is suspected that the victim had been attacked with a sharp weapon.

The suspects involved in the murder have not been identified as yet. The Elpitiya Police is conducting investigations. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lanka Police have uncovered further details with regard to the suspect involved in the quintuple murder reported in the Delft Islands in Jaffna on Saturday. 

Police spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said preliminary investigations have revealed that the 51-year-old suspect is reported to have been living in Germany for over 20 years and had recently returned to Sri Lanka.

SSP Thalduwa further said that it has also been revealed that the suspect is a dual citizen and is likely to have been deported from Germany. 

The Police found that upon his return the suspect had been temporarily residing in the Kayts and Pungudutivu islands.

Investigations have also uncovered that the suspect had been at the house of the victims on the day of the murders, the Police spokesman added.

Five persons, including two men and three women, were found hacked to death inside a house on Delft Island in Jaffna on Saturday (22).

The victims are reported to have been attacked with sharp objects in various parts of the house, while the main suspect was arrested on Sunday night (23).

The Police recovered 03 gold chains, 02 pairs of gold bangles, 08 rings, 01 pair of earrings, 01 gold pendant, and 02 mobile phones were found from the suspect’s possession. 

Further investigations are underway into the murders. (NewsWire)

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Three murders have been reported in separate areas in Sri Lanka within the last 48 hours ending at 06.00 am today. 

The Police stated that a 22-year-old boy had died after being attacked with a sharp weapon in the Idamthota area in Ambalangoda early last morning (26).

The youth had been attacked by a group of persons near his residence in Idamthota and had succumbed to injuries after being admitted to the Balapitiya Hospital.

Police investigations have revealed that the murder had taken place due to a long-standing personal dispute. The suspects have been identified, while the Ambalangoda Police are looking to apprehend the suspects. 

Meanwhile, a 49-year-old man has succumbed to injuries sustained after being attacked by two persons in the Maradhagahamula area in Diwulapitiya on Saturday night (25).

The Police stated that the victim had engaged in an argument with a group of persons while returning home following a get-together with a group of friends. He had been obstructed by two individuals on a motorcycle who had proceeded to attack him with sharp weapons and an iron rod.

The victim, a resident of Minuwangoda, who was admitted to the Minuwangoda Hospital, was later transferred to the Gampaha Hospital, where he had succumbed to injuries on Sunday (26). The Diwulapitiya Police has launched investigations to apprehend the suspects involved in the death. 

The third murder victim, a 20-year-old woman from the Ovakanda area in Rathgama has died after being attacked with a sharp weapon on Sunday night (26).

The Police stated the victim’s mother’s brother had attacked the woman and her mother with a sharp weapon while she was at her residence. The attack had taken place over a dispute related to a romantic affair between the two parties’ children. 

The victim’s mother is receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital, while the suspect has been identified and the Rathgama Police has launched investigations to apprehend him. (NewsWire)

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