UNP-era abuses probed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 August 1998, 12:16 GMT]
Five Sri Lankan police officers have been sent on compulsory leave on the orders of Chandrananda De silva, Defence Secretary. The five men are suspected to have been involved in the running of a torture and death camp at Pattandhala during the UNP's rule said sources.

The Presidential Committee conducting inquires into the torture and death camps during UNP era, has recommended that these men to be sent on leave until the inquiry ends.

Letters were sent by Inspector general of police to the officers, identified as the DIG Meris Gunaratne, commissioner H. G. WikramaSinge, commissioner Wilfred Mahanayaka, commissioner Ranjit Dharmaratne and H. Chandradhase.

Meanwhile, it is reported that inquires are to begin into the existence of unofficial camps in the area during the UNP rule, and it is believed that those suspected of involvement in these will also be asked to go on leave.