Jaffna SLA investigates public complaints

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 07 February 2006, 03:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) 51-2 brigade command has voluntarily set up an investigating committee to look into complaints against its own soldiers filed at the Human Rights Commission (HRC) by Jaffna district residents after December 2005, SLA sources in Jaffna said. As the first phase, HRC has provided a set of 23 complaints of harassment, torture and property thefts by the SLA soldiers from its files to the SLA commanders.

HRC officials have requested the SLA to provide a report of the investigative committee's findings on the 23 cases within two weeks, sources said.

The committee formed from members of the Sri Lanka military Police started the investigations Monday from the 51-2 buildings in Ariyakulam Junction near Jaffna town.

Less than fifteen Jaffna residents appeared before the SLA committee to provide evidence associated with their complaints. HRC officials said the low attendance is expected due to the climate of fear among the residents and said only those who are willing to provide testimony need attend.