Jaffna Police to serve summons on SLA officials

[TamilNet, Friday, 30 July 2004, 00:29 GMT]
The Chavakachcheri Magistrate Mr.P.Subramaniam Thursday directed his Registrar to serve summons through Jaffna district police on Lt. Colonel Dumminda Kepptigollawa, the Jaffna area commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and another SLA commander who have been cited first, second and third respondents respectively in the Habeas Corpus applications filed on behalf of missing seven Tamil youths, legal sources said.

The seven youths were among the 20 who were later reported disappeared after the arrest by the SLA soldiers during 1996-1997 period in Navatkuli-Kaithady village in a cordon and search operation, legal sources said.

The Magistrate made the above order when it was brought to his notice that the first three respondents were not present in court since the HC applications were listed for inquiry. They were not even represented by their lawyers.

SLA counsel Captain Kuruppu who represented them on earlier dates also failed to turn up Thursday, legal sources said.

State Counsel Ms Suganthi Kandasamy appeared on behalf of the fourth respondent, Attorney General, legal sources said.

Counsel Mr. Appathurai Vinayagamoorthy and Mr.M.Remedius appeared for the petitioners.

Court was told that the first respondent Lt Colonel Dumminda Keppitigollawa is currently serving in SLA Palaly main base in Jaffna district, legal sources said.