Batticaloa SLRC pays respect to slain staffers

[TamilNet, Thursday, 07 June 2007, 02:20 GMT]
"This is a horrendous act. Sri Lanka Government should take steps to halt the killings immediately," Rt. Rev. Joseph Kingsley Swampillai, Bishop of Trincomalee, Batticaloa, said at the event paying respects to the two Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) Society staff members, Sinnarasa Shanmugalingam and Karthigesu Chandramohan, held Wednesday around 1:30 p.m at Batticaloa Red Cross Head Office. The president of Batticaloa SLRC, T. Vasantharajah, presided the event.



Shanmugalingam and Chandramohan were abducted from Fort railway station in Colombo on June 1 and their bodies were found the following day at Dumabra estate in Kiriella in Ratnapura district.

The remains of the two Red Cross staff were brought Tuesday noon from Colombo and kept at SLRC Batticaloa head office where many paid their last respects including Batticaloa district Police Commissioner H. M. D. Herath, senior police officers and Sri Lanka Army troopers.

"The killings of these two innocent Red cross volunteers have been condemned by world community at large. The loss is irreparable," the Bishop said at the event attended by Batticaloa ICRC president Mr. Martin, SLRC NorthEast director Mr. S. Cithiravel and hundreds of people gathered to pay their last respects.

"Red Cross volunteers should not hesitate to serve the people because of these tragic events. They should continue to work for the affected people," the Bishop said.

Mr. Martin first read the letter of condolence from the ICRC Geneva President.



The killings of persons serving the people are shocking, and something that cannot be accepted. Shanmugalingam and Chandramohan had rendered great service to people affected by war and tsunami, the letter said.

"Were these two killed because they were Tamils or because they are from the east, asked Mr. Martin in his address.

SLRC NorthEast director S. Cithiravel, SLRC Central Committee member K. Balakrishnan and Batticaloa ICRC representative, Mr. Philip paid tribute to the two workers.

The remains of Karthigesu Chandramohan is to be taken to his mother's residence at Chengkaladi and Sanmugalingam's remains to his relatives' house at Sebastain street next to Singing Fish Street in Batticaloa for people to pay their last respects.



The remains of both will be taken to Ka'lavaagnchikudi Wednesday evening and interred at Batticaloa Ka'l'liyankaadu Hindu cemetery Thursday evening.

Chronology: