LTTE, SLN give evidence on Kayts assault

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 July 2002, 16:42 GMT]
The independent commission inquiring into the alleged assault of a political worker of the Liberation Tigers by Sri Lanka Navy personnel in the island Kayts in Jaffna visited the scene of the incident Thursday. The chairman of the commission, Air Vice Marshall (retd) Harry Gunatillake, urged civilians from the area to come forward without fear to give evidence about the incident.

Chairman of the commission, Air Vice Marshall (retd) Harry Gunatilleke with Mr. Mr. Nalanda Kaluweva, assistant secretary to Sri Lanka's ministry of defence and Mr. C. V. K Sivagnanam, former commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council at the Jaffna District Secretariat Thursday. (Photo:TamilNet)

The commissioners spoke to persons in the neighbourhood where Mr. Semmanan, the head of the Liberation Tigers' political division in Kayts, was allegedly assaulted by SLN troopers and armed cadres of the paramilitary group working with them.

The SLN commander, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, Lt. Gamini Liyanaaratchi of the SLN and Mr. V. Thayalan, a member of the LTTE's political division who was with Mr. Semmanan at the time of the assault, Thursday gave evidence before the commission in the auditorium of the Jaffna District Secretariat.

The Committee of Inquiry headed by Air Vice Marshal (retd) Harry Gunatilake will conclude its sitting in Jaffna Friday. The other two members of the committee are: Mr.C.V.K.Sivagnanam and Mr. Oliver Weerasena (retd) judge. The secretary of the committee is Mr.Nalaka Kaluwewa. The committee has been asked to submit its report on the Velanai incident before the 31st July, sources said.