Weliweriya shooting: Army exceeded its remit

3 October 2013 09:10 pm - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Court of Inquiry appointed Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake had found that the army had exceeded their legal duties during the Weliveriya shootings, and a ‘summary of evidence’ is currently under way in order to frame charges for a Court Martial.

Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake said yesterday that the Court of Inquiry appointed by him to look into the Rathupaswela shooting had found that the conduct of the Army had gone beyond their legal duties during the incident.

However, the Court of Inquiry which inquired into three specific areas, namely, the deployment of troops, the shooting, and the post shooting had found the deployment of the Army to be within the framework of the prevailing law.

“The Court of Inquiry report stated that the deployment of troops was within the legal boundaries, however the report indicated that the Army had gone beyond their legal duties during the post shooting incidents. The Army will give all necessary support to the magisterial inquiry and the Police inquiry with regard to the shootings that occurred” Lt. Gen Daya Rathnayake told Daily Mirror Online.

He further said that ‘summary of evidence’ was currently underway in order to frame charges against those responsible.

Upon conclusion of the summary of evidence, a Court Martial is to be appointed by the Army.

“The Brigade Commander and three other senior officers who were in charge of the troops on the day have currently been posted to their regiments in order to ensure a completely free and transparent inquiry and summarising of evidence” he said.

The Court of Inquiry, which comprised Major General N.A.J.C Dias, Brigadier K.J. Jayaweera, Brigadier N.I de Silva, Colonel T.D. Weerakoon and Leiutenant Colonel W.P.A.D.W.Nanayakkara handed over a report to the Army Commander on August 21, 2013.

Three persons including two students were killed after the Army allegedly opened fire on protesting civilians in Weliveriya on August 1 this year.

Lt. Gen. Daya Ratnayake asserted that the Army would mete out the maximum punishment to any officers or soldiers found guilty.

“We won’t tolerate any activity. There is a zero tolerance policy on anything that is illegal, and the maximum punishment will be meted out to anyone who is found guilty of violations,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)

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Comments - 18

Roy Friday, 04 October 2013 08:09 AM

Good to have a report about this incident.what about the war crimes committed by the ??

Andrew Pitugala Saturday, 05 October 2013 05:44 AM

We knew that, didn't we!!!!!! Exceeded by a very large amount. Will this bring back life to those who lost it???

Nodrog Saturday, 05 October 2013 04:26 AM

It's abundantly clear that the Army did not act on it's own but under orders from those in high places.
It's also a pity that the Army which eliminated the most ruthless terrorists group has been made the scapegoat to cover up the sins of others.

Cobra Saturday, 05 October 2013 02:38 AM

You kidding me?

dalu banda Friday, 04 October 2013 03:00 PM

One will take only good and bad he has done when he is finally departing.

Nihal Friday, 04 October 2013 08:33 AM

DON'T PUNISH THE GUN PUNISH THE SHOOTER. WE ALL KNOW WHO IS THE SHOOTER, NO EYE WASH HERE PLEASE

Ben Hurling Friday, 04 October 2013 08:29 AM

A total eyewash to calm down public rage. Safeguard the top dog who gave orders. Just punish soldiers who shot kids. Enquiry is not impartial or independent. It is not justice.

Grace Friday, 04 October 2013 08:27 AM

Thanks Mr. Mervin Silva for halting goat Sacrifices in the names of God. But you could not halt creating scapegoats and punish the real culprits.

Nihal Amarasekera Friday, 04 October 2013 08:14 AM

Army is there to succeed, nor exceed.

Mm Friday, 04 October 2013 01:31 AM

Yes, yes deployed within the boundaries of the prevailing law and WE ALL KNOW WHO!!!

Rata Haraka Friday, 04 October 2013 06:41 AM

Bloody crap. A few 'smaller heads' will roll, while the 'big ones', who are and should be actually responsible, will go scot free. Just eyewash, for the CHOGM and public consumption.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 04 October 2013 06:28 AM

The Presidents vote bank lies with the sinhalese, therefore for survival he cannot avoid providing some degree of justice to the criminality perpetrated at Weliveriya. However truthully and very sadly, it is not the same values or yard-stick for minorities. If GOSL had such honesty, transparency and justice, their is no reason for IC and UN to impose resolutions and monitor the actions of the GOSL specifically on minority issues.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 04 October 2013 05:56 AM

We will be back to criminality after the CHOGM. Any bets?

Michael Friday, 04 October 2013 05:53 AM

Glad to see the army accepting its fault. This is the way forward for justice and peace.

Andrew Pitugala Friday, 04 October 2013 04:39 AM

Small miracles are happening in time for CHOGM ??

TooToo Friday, 04 October 2013 02:10 AM

Thank You, Madam Pillay for mentioning this inhume act by the Sri Lanka army in your press conference just before you left Sri Lanka. We would like you and your organization to keep a close eye and the bring the people who ordered the shoot to book or the hangman. Thank you once again, Madam.

ANTON Friday, 04 October 2013 01:48 AM

WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
SOLDIER : SERGEANT
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
SERGEANT : CAPTAIN
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
CAPTAIN : BRIGADIER
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
BRIGADIER : GENERAL
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
GENERAL : THAT ONE
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
THAT ONE : MY BROTHER
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS TO SHOOT AND KILL ?
HIS BROTHER : .......................

Sri Lankan Friday, 04 October 2013 01:37 AM

If you can do the duties as you said, we are happy. Give the maximum punishment. We are watching this until these killers go to jail.

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Weliweriya shooting: Army exceeded its remit

Comments - 18

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