EPDP area organizer recovered dead in Vadamaraadchi East

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 January 2011, 22:20 GMT]
36-year-old Rasarathninam Sathees, Maruthangkea'ni area organiser of EPDP paramilitary-cum-political party was found dead Saturday morning near Aanaivizhunthaan cemetery near Vallipuram temple. The last news about Mr. Sathees was that he was on his way in a motorbike to organise an event to which EPDP leader and SL Minister Douglas Devananda was scheduled to attend at Ampan-kudaththanai. Sathees has been critical of EPDP leadership on its Maheswari Foundation business of excavating sand from Vadamaraadchi East. The EPDP has said Sathees was killed in a motorbike accident. Police said it was awaiting a medical report.

Sathees has also criticized the EPDP hierarchy for having failed to file nomination papers for the local elections in North.

However, some eyewitnesses said there was an injury in the head of Mr. Sathees, caused by a sharp weapon.

Informed sources close to EPDP in Vadamaraadchi East said Sathees had condemned the killing of Ketheeswaran Thevarajah, an environmental activist from Kudaththanai on New Year Eve. The killing was allegedly done by EPDP paramilitary men operated by Sri Lankan military. Ketheeswaran was allegedly slain for the role he played in the protests against the excavation of sand.

Sathees is the son of a businessman in Vadamaraadchi East and has earlier worked as media coordinator of the outfit.