TID investigates threats to witnesses against 'Tigers' on murder trial

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) launched an investigation into alleged threats leveled at two witnesses due to testify in a case against three LTTE members on trial for the alleged executions of Army prisoners of war.

The case has been fixed for trial at the Vavuniya High Court. The Attorney General, however, will decide whether to move the case out of Vavuniya, based on the TID report to be submitted.

The incident in question relates to the alleged execution of 18 Army and 8 Navy personnel taken prisoner by the LTTE. During the final days of the war, the prisoners had allegedly been held at the LTTE’s ‘ Victor Base 4’, along the Kilinochchi- Mullaitivu Road. As the Army closed in on the base, LTTE Intelligence Head Pottu Amman had allegedly ordered ‘Gopi’, the camp in-charge, to execute the military prisoners.

Accordingly, a large fire was lit with wood collected from the nearby jungles. The blindfolded prisoners were then marched up to the location and shot, and their bodies dumped into the fire, according to investigators.

The State’s case against the three accused, filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, is built on testimony provided by two witnesses who had allegedly helped collect the wood for the fire. The two witnesses are now reportedly facing threats.

The three accused in the case, Rasathurai Thiruwaran alias ‘Sengan,’ Madi Arayan Sulakshan and Ganeshan Darshanan are charged with conspiracy to murder, aiding and abetting murder and murder.

Indictments against the accused, currently held at the Anuradhapura Prison, have been filed before Vavuniya High Court Judge Shashi Mahendran. All three accused have pleaded "Not guilty" to the charges against them.

The Judge has fixed the case for September 27 and has ordered the accused be produced in court on that day. Summons have also been issued to witnesses for the prosecution.