Military 'killed Lanka aid staff'

[Jay]

The aid workers were found shot dead in Muttur in the north-east
Truce monitors in Sri Lanka have accused the military of killing 17 local employees of a French charity.

The deaths this month of the Action Against Hunger workers were "a gross violation of the ceasefire accord by the security forces", monitors said.

They were "convinced" no other armed group could have been behind the killings near Muttur in the north-east.

A government spokesman angrily rejected the allegation, calling it "pathetic and biased".

Full text of statement

Keheliya Rambukwella told AP news agency: "We deny it and it's a totally baseless statement that the head of the [monitoring mission] has made.

"They have no right to make such a statement because they are not professionals in autopsy or post-mortem."

The aid staff - all but one ethnic Tamils - were working on tsunami relief projects in an area that had seen several days of fighting between Tamil Tiger rebels and government troops.

Outcry

A statement released by Maj Gen Ulf Henricsson, the head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, said he had held "confidential conversations with highly reliable sources" on who was most likely to have been responsible for the killings.

"The views have not proved contradictory and the security forces of Sri Lanka are widely and consistently deemed to be responsible for the incident," he said.

Fifteen of the bodies were found lying down and shot at close range on 7 August in a case that caused an international outcry.

Two other bodies were found later.

The monitors said that after interviews with officials and witnesses they were "convinced that there cannot be any other armed groups than the security forces who could actually have been behind the act".

The statement called the incident a "committed act of assassination" that was "one of the most serious recent crimes against humanitarian aid workers worldwide".

The statement also covered two other areas in the conflict and determined that

* Government troops or armed elements aided by them were responsible for claymore mine attacks in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts from 1 April to 15 June - a "deliberate strategy against Tamil Tiger cadres and civilians" and a "gross violation" of the ceasefire

* It was "highly probable" that Tamil Tigers or supporters carried out a bus attack that killed more than 60 people in Kabithigollewa, 200km (125 miles) north of Colombo in June.

A rebel spokesman told the BBC Tamil service that the monitors were wrong and said they had had nothing to do with the bus attack.

The ceasefire was sealed in February 2002 but in the past few months the two sides have engaged in open conflict in the north and east.

However, on Wednesday Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera denied his country was in a state of civil war.

"To have a [civil] war, you must have two sides. At the moment, the government is merely responding to [Tamil Tiger] aggression," he told the BBC.

European Union nationals in the monitoring mission are now completing a pullout which was demanded by the Tamil Tiger rebels after the EU listed them as a terrorist organisation.

Of the 57 original monitors, only about 20 will remain.

Meanwhile, the number of refugees who have fled Sri Lanka's conflict for the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has crossed the 10,000 mark, officials there confirmed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5298470.stm

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And the Singhalese still ask why Tamils do not trust them anymore. Lets see who is going to defend the Srilankans on this fiasco.

[Jay]

Monitors' statement on Sri Lanka killings
Following is the full text of the statement from Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head Ulf Henricsson on recent attacks in which civilians have been killed.

I. ASSASSINATION OF 17 CIVILIAN AID WORKERS IN MUTTUR ON 4 AUGUST 2006

Noting the facts outlined in the SLMM findings there are very strong indications of the involvement of the security forces in the act despite their denial. Firstly, the SLMM cannot find the reasons for the restrictions of movements into the said areas especially in above-mentioned circumstances acceptable, thereby strongly indicating the GoSL's [government of Sri Lanka's] eagerness to conceal the matter from the SLMM.

Taking into consideration the fact that the security forces had been present in Muttur at the time of the incident it appears highly unlikely to blame other groups for the killing. Provided that was the case it would in particular be illogical for the security forces to prevent the SLMM from entering the area and making proper inquiries in order to find the perpetrator(s).

The head of SLMM has also had confidential conversations with highly reliable sources regarding the party who most likely has been responsible for the act. The views have not proved contradictory and the security forces of Sri Lanka are widely and consistently deemed to be responsible for the incident.

Concluding with the supporting information arisen from the persons interviewed and the conversations with the representatives of the international community the SLMM is, with the obtained findings, convinced that there cannot be any other armed groups than the security forces who could actually have been behind the act.

Consequently, the killing of the 17 civilian aid workers in Muttur on 4 August 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA [ceasefire accord] by the security forces of Sri Lanka.

The committed act of assassination has approved to be one of the most serious recent crimes against humanitarian aid workers worldwide and has been strongly condemned internationally. I urge the GoSL to take all necessary actions to immediately stop any kind of violence against the civilians of Sri Lanka and to do its utmost that the matter is thoroughly investigated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

II. CLAYMORE MINE ATTACKS CONDUCTED BY THE GOSL IN LTTE-CONTROLLED AREAS BETWEEN 1 APRIL AND 15 JUNE 2006.

SLMM findings and internal analysis of both individual claymore mine attacks, as well as of the pattern arising from the same show that deliberate, planned and co-ordinated offensive military operations were conducted between 1 April and 15 June 2006 in LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]-controlled areas to execute these claymore mine attacks. SLMM findings have also verified two attempted claymore mine attacks carried out by the GoSL security force's special units in LTTE-controlled area on 13 and 15 June 2006. Two SLA [Sri Lankan Army] soldiers from the special units were killed by the LTTE in an exchange of fire and subsequently transported to GoSL area under the convey of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The aforementioned claymore mine attacks were carried out using a high level of military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attacks required very good knowledge of the specific area, excellent intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally. Moreover, it is clear that the units/groups executed these attacks with the possibility to escape into GoSL-controlled areas where safe exit/entry points, logistic and other assistance must have been provided by the security forces and/or GoSL/police units deployed along the Forward Defence Line (FLD). Based on the verified activities of the SLA special unit soldiers in LTTE-controlled areas there are firm indications of the involvement of the SLA in such attacks.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws, it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict. Also all places of worship are protected under the CFA and international humanitarian laws and all parties to the CFA should refrain from using or execute attacks at places of worship such as the Madhu area, including such roads leading to and from the shrine.

Despite the binding laws and regulations it is particularly serious to notice that a) the vast majority of the attacks have been directed or resulted in death and serious injuries to civilians; b) seven of the attacks/detonations using claymore mines have taken place in and around the area where the holy Madhu shrine is located.

Considering all the findings and assessed plausible motives SLMM is convinced that there can be no other than GoSL security forces or other armed elements with the support and assistance from the GoSL security forces who have been capable of having carried out these series of claymore mine attacks in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts during the relevant period indicated above. Therefore, the GoSL security forces, having the motive, capability and capacity to carry out such attacks against the LTTE in the north-east, bear the responsibility for killing and injuring the LTTE cadres and the civilians caught in the blast from these attacks.

Consequently, the executed and attempted attacks during the period 1 April - 15 June 2006 are part of a pattern of a deliberate strategy against LTTE cadres and civilians in LTTE-controlled areas in Mannar and Vavuniya districts by the GoSL security forces or by other armed elements with the substantial assistance and support from the GoSL security forces. These attacks are ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the GoSL.

I urge both parties to the CFA to put an end to all forms of attacks, protect civilians lives and the Madhu shrine area as well as to investigate any reported killing of civilians executed by individuals or groups of the LTTE or the armed forces of Sri Lanka or affiliated armed group(s).

III. ATTACK ON A CIVILIAN BUS IN KEBITIGOLLEWA AREA ON 15 JUNE 2006

SLMM findings have shown that the attack on the civilian bus was carried out by using military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attack required very good knowledge of the area and intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally.

The LTTE has condemned the Kebitigollewa attack and denied their involvement in the incident expressing that another armed element, the Karuna group, has had a motive to execute the attack in order to discredit the LTTE. The SLMM does not find that plausible based on various grounds.

Based on SLMM inquiries and the well known modus operandi for the LTTE, the SLMM considers highly probable that there can be no other armed element than the LTTE and LTTE-affiliated forces that have had the motive to carry out the attack, in particular in GoSL controlled areas. Taking specifically into account the prevailing circumstances and obtained findings there are strong indications that the attack on Sinhalese civilians had been a deliberate retaliation for the recent killings of civilians and LTTE cadres in LTTE-controlled areas in the north and the east.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict.

Therefore, being the only element with the motive, capability and capacity to carry out the attack, the LTTE must bear the responsibility for the killing of civilians. Consequently, the attack on the civilian bus in Kebitigollewa on 15 June 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the LTTE.

Ulf Henricsson, head of SLMM.

[starsiege]

Monitors' statement on Sri Lanka killings
Following is the full text of the statement from Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) head Ulf Henricsson on recent attacks in which civilians have been killed.

I. ASSASSINATION OF 17 CIVILIAN AID WORKERS IN MUTTUR ON 4 AUGUST 2006

Noting the facts outlined in the SLMM findings there are very strong indications of the involvement of the security forces in the act despite their denial. Firstly, the SLMM cannot find the reasons for the restrictions of movements into the said areas especially in above-mentioned circumstances acceptable, thereby strongly indicating the GoSL's [government of Sri Lanka's] eagerness to conceal the matter from the SLMM.

Taking into consideration the fact that the security forces had been present in Muttur at the time of the incident it appears highly unlikely to blame other groups for the killing. Provided that was the case it would in particular be illogical for the security forces to prevent the SLMM from entering the area and making proper inquiries in order to find the perpetrator(s).

The head of SLMM has also had confidential conversations with highly reliable sources regarding the party who most likely has been responsible for the act. The views have not proved contradictory and the security forces of Sri Lanka are widely and consistently deemed to be responsible for the incident.

Concluding with the supporting information arisen from the persons interviewed and the conversations with the representatives of the international community the SLMM is, with the obtained findings, convinced that there cannot be any other armed groups than the security forces who could actually have been behind the act.

Consequently, the killing of the 17 civilian aid workers in Muttur on 4 August 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA [ceasefire accord] by the security forces of Sri Lanka.

The committed act of assassination has approved to be one of the most serious recent crimes against humanitarian aid workers worldwide and has been strongly condemned internationally. I urge the GoSL to take all necessary actions to immediately stop any kind of violence against the civilians of Sri Lanka and to do its utmost that the matter is thoroughly investigated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

II. CLAYMORE MINE ATTACKS CONDUCTED BY THE GOSL IN LTTE-CONTROLLED AREAS BETWEEN 1 APRIL AND 15 JUNE 2006.

SLMM findings and internal analysis of both individual claymore mine attacks, as well as of the pattern arising from the same show that deliberate, planned and co-ordinated offensive military operations were conducted between 1 April and 15 June 2006 in LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]-controlled areas to execute these claymore mine attacks. SLMM findings have also verified two attempted claymore mine attacks carried out by the GoSL security force's special units in LTTE-controlled area on 13 and 15 June 2006. Two SLA [Sri Lankan Army] soldiers from the special units were killed by the LTTE in an exchange of fire and subsequently transported to GoSL area under the convey of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The aforementioned claymore mine attacks were carried out using a high level of military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attacks required very good knowledge of the specific area, excellent intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally. Moreover, it is clear that the units/groups executed these attacks with the possibility to escape into GoSL-controlled areas where safe exit/entry points, logistic and other assistance must have been provided by the security forces and/or GoSL/police units deployed along the Forward Defence Line (FLD). Based on the verified activities of the SLA special unit soldiers in LTTE-controlled areas there are firm indications of the involvement of the SLA in such attacks.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws, it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict. Also all places of worship are protected under the CFA and international humanitarian laws and all parties to the CFA should refrain from using or execute attacks at places of worship such as the Madhu area, including such roads leading to and from the shrine.

Despite the binding laws and regulations it is particularly serious to notice that a) the vast majority of the attacks have been directed or resulted in death and serious injuries to civilians; b) seven of the attacks/detonations using claymore mines have taken place in and around the area where the holy Madhu shrine is located.

Considering all the findings and assessed plausible motives SLMM is convinced that there can be no other than GoSL security forces or other armed elements with the support and assistance from the GoSL security forces who have been capable of having carried out these series of claymore mine attacks in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts during the relevant period indicated above. Therefore, the GoSL security forces, having the motive, capability and capacity to carry out such attacks against the LTTE in the north-east, bear the responsibility for killing and injuring the LTTE cadres and the civilians caught in the blast from these attacks.

Consequently, the executed and attempted attacks during the period 1 April - 15 June 2006 are part of a pattern of a deliberate strategy against LTTE cadres and civilians in LTTE-controlled areas in Mannar and Vavuniya districts by the GoSL security forces or by other armed elements with the substantial assistance and support from the GoSL security forces. These attacks are ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the GoSL.

I urge both parties to the CFA to put an end to all forms of attacks, protect civilians lives and the Madhu shrine area as well as to investigate any reported killing of civilians executed by individuals or groups of the LTTE or the armed forces of Sri Lanka or affiliated armed group(s).

III. ATTACK ON A CIVILIAN BUS IN KEBITIGOLLEWA AREA ON 15 JUNE 2006

SLMM findings have shown that the attack on the civilian bus was carried out by using military expertise with regards to planning, co-ordination and execution. The attack required very good knowledge of the area and intelligence skills along with the capability and skills of deploying and handling such weapons professionally.

The LTTE has condemned the Kebitigollewa attack and denied their involvement in the incident expressing that another armed element, the Karuna group, has had a motive to execute the attack in order to discredit the LTTE. The SLMM does not find that plausible based on various grounds.

Based on SLMM inquiries and the well known modus operandi for the LTTE, the SLMM considers highly probable that there can be no other armed element than the LTTE and LTTE-affiliated forces that have had the motive to carry out the attack, in particular in GoSL controlled areas. Taking specifically into account the prevailing circumstances and obtained findings there are strong indications that the attack on Sinhalese civilians had been a deliberate retaliation for the recent killings of civilians and LTTE cadres in LTTE-controlled areas in the north and the east.

Both under the clauses of the CFA, international human rights law as well as treaty-based and customary international humanitarian laws it is absolutely forbidden to deliberately attack civilians or without due care for civilian lives and property carry out attacks against an adversary in an armed conflict.

Therefore, being the only element with the motive, capability and capacity to carry out the attack, the LTTE must bear the responsibility for the killing of civilians. Consequently, the attack on the civilian bus in Kebitigollewa on 15 June 2006 is ruled as a gross violation of the CFA by the LTTE.

Ulf Henricsson, head of SLMM.

the defence provided by the srilanka defence minister as to why the gov would not have killed the aid workers is wrong. cos, the government has gone on record saying that the town of muttur was on government hands all the time during the fighting, they even provided photographs saying that they held on to the town. now when the gov is accused they say that during that time they didnt hold the town.lol!!

thats hilarious!! there is video evidence, showing the miister claiming, just a few weeks ago, that they had control of the entire town, all the while.lol!

this is the single worst killing of aid workers in recent world history

Ps: when the Sri lankan monitoring mission wanted to visit that site, the arilankan army did not let them go to the site of the killing for 4 days!!

as a person once said "u can fool some people all the time, and all the people some time, but u cant fool all the people all the time" :)

[starsiege]

its worthwhile to note that the gov tried to kill the head of srilankan monitoring mission(Ulf Henricsson) when he was visiting LTTE area by firing artillery and motar shells at him, and he barely excaped with his life by hunkering down inside a LTTE bunker while shells rained down all around him!

all thia, after he had called and talked to a srilankan minister telling him that he was going down to that area to insepect!! and the minister has promised to tell that fact to the sri lankan army and ask them to not shell that area, but the exact opposite happned! and the Slmm head was fuming!


pics can be found here, of him in the bunker
http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=19092