TRO condemns grenade attack, appeals for safety of NGO staffers

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 May 2006, 12:19 GMT]
Condemning the grenade attack on the NGOs in Trincomalee on Sunday, the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) expressed concern over the negative impact the attack will have on humanitarian work, and appealed to the Government of Sri Lanka to "fully investigate this violence and ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers," in a press release issued Monday.

Full text of TRO's press release follows:

TRO condemns attack

TRO condemns the grenade attacks on the three international non-governmental organizations, Non Violent Peace Force (NVPF), ZOA, and InterSOS, in Trincomalee District on 22/5/06 as well as the killing of the Norwegian Refugee Council employee, Mr. Jeyaruban Gnanapragasam on 15/5/06. TRO extends it deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Gnanapragasam.

TRO is disturbed by these events and the continuing degradation of the security situation in the NorthEast. The security of humanitarian workers engaged in relief work with tsunami and war affected populations in the NorthEast must be ensured. When taken in the wider context, these incidents together with the abduction of the TRO employees on 29 & 30 January, are bound to have a serious impact on the humanitarian work being performed by international and local NGOs. This will only serve to further exacerbate the appalling living conditions that the people of the NorthEast are subjected to.

TRO joins the humanitarian agencies and the international community’s request to the Government of Sri Lanka to fully investigate this violence and ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers.

TRO would also urge the “National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka” to publish the results of their investigation into the abductions of the TRO employees.

V. Sivanadiyar
TRO President