Court issues notice to SLA official

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 July 2004, 16:57 GMT]
The Chavakachcheri Magistrate Mr.P.Subramaniam Friday issued notice on the first respondent, Sri Lanka Army official Dumminda Keppetipola, in a Habeas Corpus application through SLA counsel to appear on the next date without fail. The Magistrate made this order when it was brought to his notice Mr. Dumminda Keppetipola had failed to appear in court for the last six months, legal sources said.

The HC application filed by relatives of 16 youths who are reported disappeared after the arrest by the SLA soldiers during the period 1996 and 1997 in Kaithady-Navatkuli area came up for inquiry in the Chavakachcheri magistrate's court Friday. The court was informed that the first respondent who was stationed in Kaithady-Navatkuli area during the period and also responsible for the arrest of missing youths and girls was not present in court.

The prosecution further told court that the said army official has been assigned work in Palaly military base and for the last six months he has failed to attend courts in this case, legal sources said.

The magistrate put off the inquiry into the HC application for July 20 and issued notice through the SLA counsel Captain Kuruppu who was present in court to the first respondent to appear on the next date without fail, legal sources said.

Counsel Mr.M.Remedius appeared for the petitioners.