Who are the Human Rights violators?

We present 08 case studies which reveal, if not for the remarkable investigative talents of the security forces and the Police horrendous crimes against humanity would have been committed by the agents of the LTTE posing off as civilians.

The significant fact is having attempted to commit acts of human rights violations against society, those LTTE agents seek the protection of the clauses embedded in our constitution to protect the human rights of citizens.

This shows the respect Sri Lanka has for human rights, enabling those who infringe human rights, the opportunity of defending themselves by seeking the protective clauses of the human rights. Such is our rule of law.

Strangely, LTTE foreign funded NGO's are silent on these aspects while forever complaining of human rights violations by Sri Lanka. They do so because their existence is dependant on acquiring funds from their foreign masters only if they agitate for human rights against Sri Lanka. These are the anti national, anti social, organizations that are supporting the LTTE, under cover of protecting human rights.

Case Study I

Importing of lethal chemical weapon substance

Department of Customs seized on 15th May 2008 some chemicals namely Thyonile Chloride which had not been declared to the Department of Customs. Institute of Industrial technology analyzed the chemical as Thyonile Chloride which can be converted to a chemical weapon substance that can create a choking effect. The substance was imported to Sri Lanka from Chennai, India. The name that appeared was discovered during the investigations was of V S K Enterprises of No 87/12, Mahawatta road, Colombo 14 which had imported the substance concealed as toys. Finally, Customs found 728 liters of Thyonile Chloride secretly hidden among the toys. Investigation revealed that, owner of the above company as Balasubramanium Suresh Kumar is a laborer in a factory at Wattala. The company name and address were false and bears an address of a shanty house at Wattala.

Finally CID arrested the following suspects and detained on a detention order during the course of investigation;

1. Balasubramanium Suresh Kumar

2. Sokkar Nandakumar

3. Shiabu Zubair

4. Bertum Dunstan

But, the main suspects of the above case were Subash Peiris and Meera Mohideen who are absconding and believed to be in India. It was also revealed that Subash Peiris had imported 150 bottles of the same chemical in the year 2007. Further inquiries revealed that a factory at Kosgama has been operated by the above suspects as a chemical laboratory. Investigations found many chemicals worth of millions of rupees, equipments, protective masks and attire which were used for manufacturing of chemical weapon substance inside the premises in Kosgama.

The suspect, Sokkar Nandakumar has filed a FR application (225/08) against his arrest. In his petition he alleged that the CID arrested him without sufficient and reasonable grounds and he has been detained without being produced before a court of law. He has further stated in his petition that his Fundamental Rights guaranteed by constitution have been infringed by the respondents. The petition was filed by Attorney at Law, Gowrey Shankary Thavarasa on 23 June 08 and leave to proceed was granted by the Supreme Court. The case was dismissed on 26 Sept 08.

Case Study II

Transportation of lethal explosives for mass crimes

An explosive laden light vehicle (EPGH 8886) was seized by the Borella police on 5th June 07 on information received close to Obeysekara Pura. Borella police seized the vehicle and a person namely Mailavaganam Indravasan of Pallei and two other suspects Pararajasingham Sivakumar and Rajadeepan and took them to custody. Police found 22 Kg of C4 explosives hidden inside the fuel tank of the vehicle.

The vehicle was officially issued to Alvar Pillai Balasundaram, Assistant Government Agent, Kilinochchi. The driver of this vehicle M Indravasan and the AGA left from Kilinochchi and arrived at Anuradhapura on 22 June 2007. They stayed for two days at Anuradhapura and left to Colombo on 25th June 2007. The driver dropped the AGA at Wellawatta and brought the vehicle to Obeysekarapura, Borella where the two LTTE members had rented a house. Police arrested them when they were trying to remove the fuel tank to get the explosive out from the vehicle and subsequently arrested the AGA too.

The suspect, Alvar Pillai Balasundaram had filed a Fundamental Rights application (327/07) on 19 Sept 07. The petitioner has alleged that he was illegally arrested and detained without evidence. The case was filed on 12 Oct 07 by attorneys Mr. Thirunavukkarasu and Velupillai Ponnambalam. The case was heard by the Chief Justice and two other judges. Case was dismissed without leave to proceed being granted.

Case Study III

To bomb a train

Two bombs exploded in Dehiwala police area on 4th June 2008. Those were place at the Ebenezer road at Dehiwala and closed to the rail track directed at a moving train traveling in the direction of the Dehiwala railway station. Investigations revealed one Jegadeesan was involved in these bomb blasts and he was arrested at the Vavunia road block when he attempted to enter the unliberated area. He admitted that he is responsible for the bomb explosions in Dehiwala. Two other suspects, Nishanthan and Karthick also were arrested at 36th lane in Wellawatta whom were roommates of Jegadeesan. Explosives and weapons were also recovered in the same premises. The above suspects are detained under the detention orders.

Suspect Sangarapillai Karthick filed the Fundamental Rights Application in the Supreme Court on 27 Aug 08 through his attorney, Gowrey Shankari Thavarasa. Petitioner alleged that he was arrested by police without proper evidence and detained unlawfully without granting bail.

The case was dismissed on 8th Oct 2008.

Case Study IV

To blow up Kelanitissa Power Station

Arumugam Kandasamy alias Spring Kandasamy was responsible for the original transportation of explosive from Mannar to Negombo. He was later arrested on 20 April 99 at a lodge in Vavunia. Kandasamy kept the explosives with him and later brought it to Colombo and handed it over to LTTE suspects. These LTTE suspects later attempted to explode the fuel tank in the Kelanithissa power station and were subsequently arrested.

Arumugam Kandasamy has filed a Fundamental Rights Application on the 19th June 2001 through his Attorney Eugene Marianpillai in the Supreme Court alleging that he was tortured by the police and illegally arrested and detained violating his fundamental rights.

This case was heard and dismissed on 27th May 2003.

Case study V

Aiding and Abetting the LTTE propaganda work

The suspect Vettivel Jaseekaran, Batticaloa was running a printing press at No. 317, Jampettah Street Kotahena, Colombo 13 and printing literature against the government by aiding and abetting the LTTE propaganda work thus damaging the reputation of the Sri Lankan government. Police conducted further investigations and sealed off the printing press and also took the van used by the suspect into custody. Hon. Attorney General has filed indictment in the high court of Colombo against the suspect under case No.4426/08. The case is pending presently. The fundamental Rights Application (208/2008) has been filed by his Attorney Gowrey Shankary Thawarasa on 23 June 2008. Leave to proceed has been granted and next date of hearing is 14 Nov 2008.

Case study VI

Aiding and Abetting the LTTE Propaganda work

The suspect Vadivelu Vaiarmathi, Avarangal West, Puttur who is supposed to be an associate (finance handler) of Jaseekaran, the owner of the printing press at No. 317, Jampattah road, Kotahena. The suspect has aided and abetted to LTTE in the propaganda work of the LTTE. Further investigations are conducted by the police and indictment has been filed against her in the high court of Colombo under case No. 4426/08 which is pending.

Attorney at Law, Gowrey Shankari Thawarasa has filed the Fundamental Rights Application (209/2008) on 23 June 2008. Leave to proceed has been granted. Further hearing is fixed for 14 Nov 2008.

Case Study VII

Funding the suspects of Piliyandala bus bomb blast

The suspect Gnanadurai Ponnampalam, Dehiwala was arrested by the Police in connection with the bomb blast in a bus at Piliyandala area. An investigation conducted by the police has revealed that Gnanadurai Ponnampalam has aided and abetted the LTTE in their activities in Colombo. He has funded the LTTE suspects who were involved in the Piliyandala bomb blast on the instructions of LTTE. Attorney at Law, Gowry Shankary Thawarasa has filed the Fundamental Rights Application (456/2008). Leave to proceed has been granted. Next date of hearing is 20 Nov 2008.

Case Study VIII

Providing lodging for an LTTE Suicide Cadre

The suspect Munusamy Parameswari, Gampola has been arrested by the Special Task Force on 23 Nov 2006 for aiding and abetting an LTTE suicide women cadre Thambirasa Susanthi by providing lodging in Colombo. Further investigations by the police revealed that she is not a reporter of news papers "Weerakesari" or " Mawbima", as she claimed. The Fundamental Rights Application (45/2007) has been filed by Attorney at Law, Gowry Shankari Thawarasa on 25 Feb 2007. Leave to proceed was granted and this case was dismissed on 30 Feb 2007.

To be continued...