HRC commences investigation into SLA harassment

[TamilNet, Friday, 09 July 2004, 18:13 GMT]
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) Thursday commenced inquiry into complaints made by resident-fishermen of Kovilakandy in Thenmaradchchi division in Jaffna district against the harassment by Sri Lanka Army soldiers (SLA) located in the area, civil sources said.

HRCSL team was led by its Jaffna regional co-ordinator Mr. Rohitha Priyadarshna.

When the representatives of fisheries societies met the HRCSL team they complained that the SLA soldiers were deliberately damaging their fishing nets and other accessories they take to sea for fishing, while pretending to check, fisheries representatives said.

HRCSL team was told that soldiers are stealing prawns and other fish when they bring their day's catch to the shore. Although the Jaffna district SLA commander during his visit to the area promised that he would take necessary steps to alleviate the suffering, no concrete step had been taken by the SLA as promised, fisheries representatives briefed the HRCSL team, sources said.

HRCSL were requested to make necessary arrangement for a meeting between the fisheries representatives and the SLA officials in this regard, sources said.