SLA, threat to Jaffna students- TNA MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 11:16 GMT]
A resolution regarding the abduction of students and the threat issued to Jaffna University community was tabled Wednesday by Mavai Senathirajah, Deputy President of parliamentary group of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Jaffna district Member of Parliament, parliamentary sources said. Mr. Senathirajah speaking about the situation prevailing in Jaffna, pointed out that the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) was posing a clear threat to the educational activities of the students in Jaffna.

SRI LANKA: An epidemic of lawlessness- AHRC

While accusing that the abduction of the students was carried by SLA troopers, Mr. Senathirajah called upon Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Government of Sri Lanka to act responsibly and take necessary action to have the abducted students released.

He also said that the students in the peninsula are unable to continue their studies and are living in a continuous state of fear. Mr Senathirajah appealed that immediate action should be taken to create a favourable environment by providing protection to the students.

Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and Minister of Internal Administration, speaking in the Parliament Tuesday responding to the allegation regarding the abduction of four Jaffna school students by Sri Lankan Army (SLA), the threat issued to University Professors, lecturers, undergraduates, school students and non academic staff, promised that the Government will take steps to have the abducted students released.

Laxman Kirella , senior parliamentarian of United National Party (UNP), speaking during the resolution of adjournment of the House commented that the abduction of school students and the threat issued to the University community is a shame for Sri Lanka. Since the abduction of students took place in SLA-controlled area, it is clear that the Army is involved in these incidents.

He added that the government must intervene immediately and have these students released. "When we visit foreign countries the people there are asking us whether we are coming from Sri Lanka, where civilians are abducted. The law and order in the country is in disarray. The foreign diplomats in Colombo are pointing out to the plunging respect for Sri Lanka as a human rights violator. We are ashamed by the state of affairs prevailing in this country," Mr.Kiriella added.

Meanwhile, in a stinging report on Sri Lanka's law and order released Tuesday, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) said the situation of lawlessness in Sri Lanka has reached "epidemic proportions," and that the policing system in Sri Lanka has become "dysfunctional."

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AHRC:

SRI LANKA: An epidemic of lawlessness