Abduction of NGO Workers

Tamil Studies and Human Rights Trust, New Zealand
8/115 Blockhouse Bay Road
Avondale
Auckland 1007, New Zealand
Tel: 64 ¨C 9 - 8202113
tamilstudies@xtra.co.nz

February 2, 2006

President Mahinda Rajapakse, both as Executive Head of State and Defence Minister, ordered the Security Forces not to do anything that would jeopardise the ceasefire talks, which were agreed to after strenuous effort.

Army Spokesperson Prasad Samarasinghe said that the Security Forces have no links with the illegal armed groups operating in the NorthEast of Sri Lanka.
The LTTE defector, the well-known so called Karuna, also announced a cease-fire of his own.

Notwithstanding, it is a fact that five key operatives of the TRO were kidnapped by men who came in a white van only 100 metres from the Welikande Army Checkpoint and Camp. This camp is a well-known safe haven for the paramilitary groups operating the East, especially the EPDP, ENDLF and Karuna group.

Another five TRO workers have also gone missing. Now, anonymous calls are informing relatives of those kidnapped to prepare for the last rites.

The US and all Nations have appealed to President Mahinda to get these humanitarian workers released.

To date the President has NOT issued a tough order to the IGP [Inspector General of Police] or the Security Forces to hunt for those kidnapped. He is answerable as Defence Minister and Head of State. He must immediately suspend the DIG Eastern Province and the Commander of the Welikande Army Camp. If the kidnapped are killed, the President will lose much of his moral status as Head of State.

Yours Sincerely,

R.Selvarajah, General Secreatry
A.Theva Rajan, Co-ordinator.

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