Amidst international pressure, the Attorney General’s Department is to conclude the cases regarding those responsible for the 2006 killing of five students in Trincomalee and 17 aid workers before the end of this year, officials said yesterday.

After international organizations such as the Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch raised the issue, the government decided to reopen the case, and pursue action.   During the March session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Amnesty International took up this issue.

Asked for a comment on this matter, Attorney General Palitha Fernando said his Department would be able to do something in this regard before the end of this year.

Additional Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath who is in charge of this case, said he was now analyzing evidence regarding these two separate incidents.   
“Hopefully, we will be able to take action against those responsible very soon,” he said.

The killing of five students took place on January 2, 2006.  The 17 aid workers attached to the French NGO called Action against Hunger were killed in a separate incident in August, 2006 when the war was raging in the area. A presidential commission was also appointed to study this case.  The report has already been handed over to the government.  The French Embassy in Colombo has also made inquiries about the progress on investigations into this incident. (Kelum Bandara)