Maximum punishment for perpetrators - President in Jaffna

26 May 2015 10:14 am

President Maithripala Sirisena, who visited Jaffna today said a special court (Trial-at-Bar) will be set up to ensure speedy justice in the case of the gang rape and brutal slaying of the schoolgirl at Pungudutivu in Jaffna.
 
“We cannot let such incidents to happen again in any part of the country,” he emphasised when he met students from 17 schools in the Northern Province at a meeting held at the Wembady Girls School in Jaffna.
 
Later, at the Jaffna Governor's residence, the President met the parents of 18-year-old Sivaloganathan Vithya, who was allegedly gang-raped and killed last week. He expressed his deepest regret over this senseless tragedy which shocked and shook the country.
 
The President also asked the students how they were faring with their educational activities and about any shortcomings in their educational requirements.
 
The students told the President about the lack of infrastructure facilities, lecturers, a sports complex and the problems they face regarding transport to and from school.
 
He assured them that a special educational officer would be appointed to deal with their educational problems.
 
The President's special attention was drawn to issues relating to the drug menace prevalent among school children in Jaffna. He said he would inform the security officers to be vigilant about this matter.
 
He later visited the historic Naga Viharaya in Jaffna and participated in religious observances. The President met the Chief Incumbent and inquired about any difficulties they faced.
 
The Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and Deputy Minister Vijayakala Maheswaran accompanied the President.
 
Angry residents earlier held violent protests over the killing of the student and the delay in producing the culprits in Court. The police arrested nine suspects including three members of one family who are alleged to have been directly involved in the brutal crime. They were produced in Court and remanded.
 
Nearly 130 protesters were also arrested on charges of stoning and damaging the Jaffna Court Complex and attacking the police.