The government has decided to speed up the prosecution of all remaining hardcore LTTE cadres and rehabilitate those who have been charged with minor offences, acting Attorney General Palitha Fernando said yesterday.

He said the cases would be heard within three months and a four-member committee has been appointed by the government to do this work.
The committee headed by Additional Solicitor General and Former Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath comprises Senior State Counsel Shavindra Fernando, Dilan Ratnayaka and Sudharshana De Silva.

“The preliminary investigations carried out by the Terrorists Investigations Division (TID) have found some former LTTE cadres to have allegedly committed serious war crimes such as bombing, killing civilians and attacking economically sensitive places while the others are alleged to have committed minor offences and can be considered for rehabilitation,” Mr. Fernando said.

He said the investigations were not easy or simple because many LTTE cadres maintained links with the LTTE network and refused to grab the opportunity offered by the government to be rehabilitated.

The Committee will categorize those requiring to be prosecuted and others requiring rehabilitation.
“The government is keen to complete the prosecution and rehabilitation process as soon as possible because the international community especially India are concerned about it. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sambanthan has held several rounds of talks with the government on this issue and is also keen to have the prosecution process expedited,” Mr. Fernando said.

Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry Secretary A. Dissanayaka said 670 hardcore LTTE cadres were held in remand prison and while 700 LTTErs were to be considered for rehabilitation. (Sandun A Jayasekera)