Hardcore LTTEers to be prosecuted soon

6 October 2012 03:34 am

The Government will in the next few weeks file charges against 60 hardcore LTTE cadres against whom the authorities had found clear evidence of having committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, a Committee of Legal Counsel said yesterday.

Additional Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath told Daily Mirror that this committee, which was set up to consider pending cases under the PTA, has finalised the prosecution process and would now move on to what needed to be done next.

He said some 80 more LTTE cadres are under investigation by the Terrorists Investigation Division (TID) after new evidence was found that they were involved in separatist activities even while in detention.

“The TID has gathered reliable information that these LTTE cadres have been in contact with LTTE activists and the Tamil Diaspora who are conspiring set up a transnational state of Tamil Eelam,” Mr. Gamlath said.

He said their nefarious activities came to light during the Vavuniya prison riots in June. The TID has found evidence that they had used information technology and cell phones to keep in touch with their contacts abroad and of having acted on their advice.

Mr. Gamlath said four new High Courts will be set up in the Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Mannar and Welikada prisons to expedite the court inquiry by the JSC.

During their investigations, the Committee had checked out some 300 files of LTTE detainees and about 150 ex LTTEers against whom there was no evidence of serious crimes would be sent for rehabilitation.

“It is with a sense of relief that we are able to finalise this matter and take a final decision because the international community, the UN and other global agencies are looking at Sri Lanka and expressed concern about these LTTE detainees,” Mr. Gamlath said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)