FRENCH PUSHTO PURSUE PROBE
The aid workers were killed during the initial stage of the war after the closure of the Mavil Aru gates
The French Embassy has taken fresh diplomatic initiatives in pursuing the case regarding the killing of 17 workers attached to the French branch of the international aid agency called ‘Action against Hunger’ in August, 2006 in Muttur, informed sources said.
The Daily Mirror learns that French Ambassador Ms. Christine Robichon met the Attorney General to discuss the present status of investigations despite the lapse of six years since the incident happened.
These aid workers were killed during the initial stage of the war after the closure of Mavil Aru sluice gates by the LTTE. The Ambassador has reportedly asked numerous questions from the Department as to what happened to the investigations.
Earlier, former Attorney General Mohan Peiris assured the international community during an interactive session with representatives of countries interested in the Sri Lanka issue in Geneva in Febru- ary that the cases of the killing of five students in Trincomalee and 17 aid workers in Muttur would be reopened.
The Amnesty International (AI) was particularly interested to know as to what happened to the in- vestigations. The AI also asked why the report of the Presidential Commission appointed to look into this case was not publicized.
The 17 workers were found dead in their aid agency office on August 6, 2006 in Muttur at a time when pitched battles were fought between the military and the LTTE. In addition to the AI, representatives of the Tamil diaspora have also raised the issue in Geneva during side events.
The 17 workers were found dead in their aid agency office on August 6, 2006 in Muttur at a time when pitched battles were fought between the military and the LTTE.