Great betrayal
*Fonseka’s allegations lead to UN
probe
*Demands explanation from Government
*Wants documentary proof if
allegations inaccurate
|
The Sunday Leader report on December 13, 2009 |
The interview given by Sarath Fonseka to the Sunday Leader on
December 13, 2009 wherein he alleges that three LTTE leaders who came to
surrender with white flags during the final stages of the battle were
shot dead by ground troops, has opened an UN probe into possible war
crimes charges against the Heroic Forces.
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or
Arbitrary Executions Philip Alston in a letter to President Mahinda
Rajapaksa has demanded an explanation regarding the allegations made by
Fonseka that the Defence Secretary has instructed the Commander of the
58th Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army to shoot those surrendering.
The United Nations is inquiring particularly “the circumstances of
the death of three representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) Balasingham Nadeshan, Seevaratnam Pulidevan and Ramesh, as
well as members of their families, in the night of 17 to 18 May, 2009.”
In his letter, Alston says that the information that he has received
are based on the allegations made by Sarath Fonseka in the above
mentioned interview. He also says “accounts of journalists embedded with
the SLA 58th Brigade confirm some of the alleged circumstances of the
deaths of Nadeshan, Pulidevan and Ramesh and their families.” Referring
to “fundamental legal rules applicable to all armed conflicts under
international humanitarian law and human rights law”, particularly
Article 5 of the Geneva Conventions of 1949, the Special Rapporteur has
inquired about the accuracy of the allegations and demanded information
and documentary proof in the event that the accusations are inaccurate.
The letter also seeks information on the family members of Nadeshan ,
Pulidevan and Ramesh.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Secretariat in a release said the
Government is making a careful study of the UN Rapporteur’s letter,
prior to a formal response, and any action that may be necessary. |
