Mannar citizens’ committee lists killed, missing

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 January 2001, 17:43 GMT]
Thirty two civilians were killed due to the actions of the Sri Lankan security forces while twelve were reported missing in Mannar from January to December 2000 according to statistics released Saturday by the Citizens’ Committee for the district. The Committee said that hundred and forty three civilians were arrested by the Sri Lankan security forces in this period and that only 70 of these have been released so far.

The whereabouts of the missing persons are still not known despite the endeavours of their kith and kin to locate them, according to the committee. The largest number of civilians-36- was arrested in February 2000. Eight were killed in April.

Most of the killings and arrests were in the island of Mannar human rights sources said.

The Sri Lanka navy in Talaimannar arrested and detained a Hindu priest and his wife on Friday.