Media is Commended for highlighting HR violations; government
sets up a special center to avert abductions
Government of Sri Lanka has established a special
center for gathering information on abductions allegedly happened in the
Colombo and Suburbs under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Minister of Media - Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena revealed
this at a press conference held in Colombo today (27). Public is
requested to submit any information regarding abductions that take place
in the Colombo and suburbs to the newly established center which is
located at BMICH , Colombo. The center commences its operation tomorrow
(28).
The President has also appointed a committee
comprising Minister Dullas Alahaperuma, Minister Rajitha Senaratne,
Deputy Minister P. Radhakrishnan, Deputy Minister K. Baiz and the
opposition leader of the Colombo Municipal Council- Vasudeva Nanayakkara
to supervise the progress of the center.
The committee is scheduled to hold a special
discussion with the Inspector General of Police on Saturday (30).
Meanwhile, Government Defence Spokesman Minister
Keheliya Rambukwella today (27) highly commended the media persons for
their active role in highlighting Human Right issues in the South.
Speaking at the weekly Media briefing held at MCNS ,
the Minister told that the tireless effort of the media has lead the
government to take swift action against culprits who involved in
abductions, extortions and assassinations that were escalating during
last two and half months.
He further noted, despite the harsh criticism leveled
against the government, it has achieved a considerable success in
cracking down on the criminals behind these crimes. " It is true that
the law enforcement authorities had to take some time to find valid
leads in their investigations, but the police had made several arrests
and the suspects will be brought before the courts soon" , he said.
Last week, the Government also setup two special
operation cells to collect information and take immediate action on
complaints of abductions and extortions take place in Colombo and
suburbs. These two units are presently functioning round the clock under
the supervision of Presidential Secretariat and the Police.
Minister Rambukwella reiterated that the government
has always responded to HR violation issues and would never treat the
culprits with impunity.
He further implored to media to voice the grievances
of the civilians living under terror clutches. The Minister noted that
police had received 65 complaints on abductions, torture, and extortions
committed by the LTTE terrorists in Wanni.
"These complaints were made by the people who had
managed to escape the terror clutches. Please, give a voice to those
innocent people too, as you did excellently in the south and make their
grievances heard to the world", he said.
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