US envoy Rapp queries AG about Mutur, Trincomalee killings

US Ambassador on War Crimes Stephen J. Rapp had inquired from Attorney General Palitha Fernando about the progress on action regarding the 2006 killings of five students in Trincomalee and 17 aid workers in Mutur.

Mr. Rapp heads the Office of Global Criminal Justice advising the Secretary of State and Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights on issues related to war crimes,crimes against humanity and genocide. He arrived in Sri Lanka with the hope of meeting a wide cross section of government officials, civil society activists and political leaders on issues relating to accountability and reconciliation. Soon after his arrival, he held talks with Mr. Fernando who informed that the suspects in the students’ killing had already been prosecuted. Mr. Fernando said he also informed the visiting ambassador that investigations were in progress into the killing of 17 aid workers attached to the French organisation called Action against Hunger. Mr. Rapp had also asked about those arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act at the moment. “We have rehabilitated a lot for reintegration into society.”