Troops accused of killing

[TamilNet, Monday, 18 January 1999, 11:35 GMT]
"Ananathrajah is my elder sister's son and he came to my house everyday in the evening to spend the night as my two daughters and I have no male guardian. My husband was shot dead eight years ago" said Kaathamuththu Amaravathi, 31, in her evidence at the inquest into the death of the Myilambaveli youth who was found shot through his head last evening at Saththurukkondaan, four kilometers north of Batticaloa town.

The inquest was held at the Batticaloa hospital by Acting District Judge K.Thangavadivel this afternoon.

Batticaloa JMO Dr.K Chandrapalan said in his evidence that the youth, Ekamaparam Anantharajah, 17, had been shot three times in the head at very close range with a handgun.

Anantharajah's father Eliyathamby Ekamparam,62, said in his evidence that the boy was the youngest of his four children and that he earned for his family while supporting Amaravathi's family as well with part of his earnings.

Contrary to earlier claims by Police sources in Batticaloa, reports from the area indicated that Anantharajah was shot dead by some soldiers at the SLA detachment in Saththurukkondaan.

Amaravathi's house is close to this Sri Lankan Army (SLA) camp and, according to neighbours, some soldiers had been harassing the young widow for her favours. She, however, had scorned or ignored their advances.

The neighbours said that the soldiers had considered Anantharajah a hindrance to their nocturnal carnal designs upon Amaravathi.

The neighbours said that they were positive that this was the motive behind the killing of the youth.

Amaravathi's husband was shot dead by the SLA in 1990 when it moved into Batticaloa. She was 23 at the time.

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