Kanjirankuda inquiry in Tirukovil completed

[TamilNet, Thursday, 24 October 2002, 19:13 GMT]
The three-member committee appointed to investigate the October 9 killings of eight Tamil civilians at Kanjirankuda completed its sittings at Thirukovil divisional secretariat auditorium today. The committee will have further two days of hearings at the Bandaranaike Memorial Hall in Colombo.

The committee comprises Air Force Commodore (retd) Harry Gunatilake (Chairman), Mr. Oliver Weerasena, a retired judge and Mr. Samithamby Vivekanandan, a teacher and Tirukovil resident. The senior Superintendent of Police Mr.M.J.Savanagan functions as its secretary.

Visuvanathan (Visu) of Liberation Tigers, Jayantha Ratnayake of Akkaraipattu, and several farmers from Kanjirankuda appeared before the Investigation Committee to give evidence.

The members of the Committee travelled to Colombo in a special helicopter from Tirukovil this evening.

Eight civilians were killed and at least 20 others were wounded when the Special Task Force (STF) opened fire on protestors on 9 October.