Army Commander-appointed court of inquiry probing into LLRC report
observations in progress
A Court of Inquiry, appointed by the Commander of the
Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya to inquire into the
observations, made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)
in its report on alleged civilian casualties during the final phase of
the humanitarian operations and probe as regards Channel-4 video footage
irrespective of its authenticity or otherwise, is now in full progress.
The five-member Court of Inquiry appointed on 2
January 2012 by virtue of the powers, vested in the Army Commander by
Regulation 4 of the Courts of Inquiry Regulations, read with the
Regulation 2 of the Army Disciplinary Regulations, is headed by Major
General Chrishantha De Silva, the present Commander of the Security
Forces Headquarters, Kilinochchi.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya stated that in
view of a consistent policy, followed by the Sri Lanka Army from its
inception in 1949 of maintaining Zero Tolerance towards any breach of
Humanitarian Laws by its members during engagements such an inquiry is
warranted, especially in view of the observations of the Lessons Learnt
and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
A Court of Inquiry is an initial fact-finding inquiry,
akin to a non-summary inquiry by a Magistrate. If there is a prima facie
case disclosed against any person from the evidence led before the Court
of Inquiry, a General Court Martial, is convened to try the alleged
offenders. A General Court Martial has the jurisdiction that is
identical to a High Court Trial-at-Bar and can award any sentence,
including the death penalty.
The Court of Inquiry has already commenced its
proceedings.
Courtesy : Army media |
