Rathupaswela tragedy: Three Army personnel arrested

24 March 2017 04:38 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Three Army personnel were arrested today by the CID in connection with the shooting incident at Rathupaswala in Weliweriya on August 1, 2013.

The investigations have been resumed under the unity government three years after the incident. Among those arrested are: staff sergeant Sirisena, corporals Lalithge and Tillekaratne. They were asked to report to the CID to record a statement this morning and were subsequently arrested. Police said they were produced in Court and remanded till April 3 by acting Gampah Magistrate Wasantha Gunasekera.

However, Army Spokesman Roshan Seneviratne said no action had been taken so far against the personnel taken into custody.

The residents had staged a protest asking for safe drinking water when the army which had been called to defuse the situation had fired at the protesters killing three people and injuring 30. The water in the area had been allegedly polluted by the effluents being discharged by a factory manufacturing rubber gloves. Among those killed were two students -- Akila Dinesh and Ravishan Perera and a person identified as Nilantha Pushpa Kumara.

Human rights groups condemned the crackdown against the protesting villagers who were only demanding for clean drinking water for the thousands of residents of Weliweriya.

The Sri Lanka Human Rights Council (SLHRC) in 2013 submitted a report on the Rathupaswala tragedy and recommended the army to carry out an investigation. (Thilanka Kanakarathna and Tony Karunanayake)

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Comments - 10

Ajith Friday, 24 March 2017 05:13 PM

I don't think that anyone will shoot for fun. Most probably they were just following orders. If that's the case, can you find fault with them? Need to find out who gave the order at the topmost level and action to be taken against that person.

kk Friday, 24 March 2017 05:19 PM

Arrows .. via DM Android App

Selvyn Friday, 24 March 2017 05:23 PM

The outcome of the investigation related to many issues during MARA s time is now emerging. The mill has started to grind via DM Android App

Bala Friday, 24 March 2017 05:59 PM

Good. Now see who gave the order to shoot.

ceylon Friday, 24 March 2017 06:11 PM

still not finished this case .chase out all the idiots in the government.they are eating peoples money and doing nothing. via DM Android App

JANS Friday, 24 March 2017 06:24 PM

Dont arrest our War heroes Those hireups who gave orders imprisoned them via DM Android App

ravin Friday, 24 March 2017 06:48 PM

Poor guys. These guys may have carry out the orders given from their command. If they do not carry out orders they will be court martial. Ultimately everyone will know who gave the order.

saranapala Friday, 24 March 2017 06:49 PM

Why not arrest the senior officers who gave orders. THE SENIOR OFFICERS TO SPILL THE BEANS.

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 25 March 2017 09:39 AM

Soldiers who shoot at innocent civilians can not be war heroes. Every soldier is right to refuse an order that violates applicable law.

Kamal Senanayake Saturday, 25 March 2017 06:37 PM

The army was called in to quell the mob at a time the country was not under emergency rule. It is illegal to mobilise the army unless under emergency rule. Therefore, the person who ordered the army out to the location gave an illegal order. Thereafter the blame should go onto the officer who led the platoon and gave the order to fire. The men who carried out the firing were carrying out orders.The Special Task Force (STF) was established to tackle such situations.

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Rathupaswela tragedy: Three Army personnel arrested

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