SLA harassing Jaffna official

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
One of Jaffna's Divisional Secretaries (formerly Assistant Government Agents) has handed over a written complaint to the Jaffna GA that he is being harassed and intimidated by the Sri Lankan army over a transfer.

The DS, Mr. K. Kanakaratnam, was working in Maruthankerni in Vadamaradchi east, which is classified by the army as an 'uncleared' area.

He was recently transferred to Karaveddy. The SLA commander in charge of the Vadamaradchi sector, Brig. L. Wijeratne did not approve of Mr.Kanakaratnam's transfer, and told him not to take up duties as the Karaveddy DS.

Mr. Kanakaratnam objected to the Brigadier's order and brought the matter to the notice of the minister concerned.

Following his complaint, he was taken in an army truck from his residence to Brig. Wijeratne's office.

Here he was threatened by the Vadamaradchi commander for taking up the matter with the higher authorities.

Later his house was raided and searched at midnight by SLA troops, despite his protests that he was a divisional secretary.

Since then, the additional GA for Jaffna, Mr. Vaithiyalingam, has arranged for Mr. Kanakaratnam to function as the Nallur DS. But he (Mr. Kankaratnam ) informed the GA that he would be unable to routinely carry out his duties because of the threat he has to face from the SLA now.

The GA therefore asked him to submit his case in writing which he did and is awaiting the results.