Investigating massacre of 100s of Tamil citizens

The ex-soldier told a court that hundreds of Tamil civilians were buried in Chemmani by the Sri Lankan army after the takeover of Jaffna.

In the Colombo Magistrates court on Wednesday, Police Central Investigation Division (CID) revealed that the investigations that commenced six years ago cannot be concluded until the Attorney-General (AG) issues the relevant instructions.

Police informed court that they are waiting instructions as the findings of the investigation has been already handed over to the AG.

The magistrate who said that it is "unacceptable" that an inquiry takes so long, directed the CID to expedite the conclusion of the investigation.

CID pointed out that DNA test results on the remains of the deceased are also due from India.

The courts ordered police to be report the progress to court on May 17th together with instructions from the AG and the DNA results.

Six soldiers who are charged with abduction and murder of Tamil civilians who were later allegedly buried in were also ordered to appear in court on that day.

hundreds 'missing'

Excavations in 1999 at a site in Chemmani near Jaffna revealed human remains.

The excavations was witnessed by four international observers, including two from Amnesty International.

Authorities were led to the site by a former soldier, Somaratne Rajapakse, who was sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a Tamil teenager in 1996.

Post 1995

The ex-soldier told a court that hundreds of Tamil civilians were buried in Chemmani by the Sri Lankan army after the takeover of Jaffna.

After the security forces captured the Jaffna peninsula from the Tigers in 1995-96, they detained large number of local Tamils on suspicion of being involved with the rebels.

More than 600 of those who were held are missing and observers say it is unlikely that they are still alive.

Police say that they have not received proper instructions from the government on conducting the Chemmani massacre inquiry.

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