Authorities falter on accountability in ‘Navy 11’ case: Amnesty International

5 August 2021 07:45 am - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan Attorney General’s Department must explain the reasons for its decision not to proceed with charges against former Navy commander Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with the abduction 11 youth and the case was an opportunity for the Sri Lankan authorities to deliver justice for crimes under international law, the Amnesty International said.

The Sri Lankan Attorney General’s Department yesterday decided not to proceed with charges against Wasantha Karannagoda, a former Navy commander, over his alleged role in the abduction of 11 Tamil youth in 2008 and 2009. The Sri Lankan Navy is alleged to have been behind the forcible disappearance of the “Navy 11”.

Responding to the decision Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director, said:

“Sri Lanka has the world’s second highest number of enforced disappearances, with tens of thousands of people forcibly disappeared over many decades. This case was an opportunity for the Sri Lankan authorities to deliver justice for crimes under international law, by ensuring that those reasonably suspected of criminal responsibility, including those implicated for aiding and abetting and under command responsibility, are brought to trial.

“This case has already been beset by obstacles in the Sri Lankan Courts, and today's decision pushes justice further out of reach for the families of victims. The AG’s department must explain the reasons for its decision, and Sri Lankan authorities must deliver truth, justice and reparations for all victims of enforced disappearance."

The “Navy 11” case refers to the enforced disappearance of 11 Tamil youth in 2008-2009, allegedly in an abduction racket spearheaded by members of the Sri Lankan Navy. Senior military commanders are implicated.

In August 2018 the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police arrested Lt. Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, alias “Navy Sampath”, as the main suspect. The CID accused then Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijeguneratne of shielding one of the main suspects, and the court also ordered his arrest. In February 2019, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, was named as the 14th suspect in the case. He was accused of having known about the enforced disappearance by naval personnel he had command responsibility over, and choosing to take no action. On 4 August 2021, media reported that the Attorney General’s department had decided not to proceed with charges against Karannagoda.

The “Navy 11” case has faced many obstacles in the Sri Lankan courts. In January 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry into “political victimization” under the previous government. Many state officials facing trial over human rights violations have complained of being “politically targeted” by the previous government, and have sought the Commission’s support in absolving them from ongoing court cases. As a result, the Commission has intervened in cases that are pending before courts, especially where military members are implicated.

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Comments - 20

Saman Thursday, 05 August 2021 07:52 AM

All of SL is about to be swept away by the Delta mutation while Amnesty is 'playing baila'!!!!

VJ Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:19 AM

This is no surprise, it is business as usual in this country.

RoaringCreek Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:35 AM

Tiger by tail.

Jagath Silva Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:39 AM

They will answer before they meet their maker

RoaringCreek Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:41 AM

With this the need to international judges are clearly seen.

Jude Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:42 AM

AI headquarters in UK didn't do anything when British parliament and UN security Council was mislead by former PM Tony Blair created the WMD fiasco which lead to killing scores of civilians thus commiting atrocities against humanity!! Moreover, Brits Chilcott inquiry made Blair responsible for the whole catastrophe !! Now Amnesty International what action was taken by your biased organization!??? WHAT KIND OF HYPOCRISY IS THIS !???

Copy cat Thursday, 05 August 2021 12:23 PM

Yeah? Missing in action Yeah?

Jude Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:51 AM

Atrocities against humanity happening worldwide!! But only SL get penalized without any credible proof !! 'Coz Tamil Diaspora funding GTF and they carry out their agenda by bribing UN agency officials and NGOs like AI which depends heavily on private funds !!

manoj Thursday, 05 August 2021 08:57 AM

sure signs of vistas of prosperity

Jude Thursday, 05 August 2021 09:01 AM

Hey AI, first do your part in accountability on Iraq WMD fiasco !! You bring former PM Tony Blair to The Hague in Netherlands and I will personally bring the Rt.Admiral Karannagoda to the International Criminal Court !! Yeah!!

Lion Thursday, 05 August 2021 09:12 AM

Economic sanctions are greatest possibility in the near future to tame this despotic government

European Thursday, 05 August 2021 09:42 AM

Jude: start reading the world news too instead of only the local news. Read about the reports of Amnesty International about China, Yemen, Eritrea, Belarus etc. etc. Get yourself better informed about the UN and All NGOs.

Lion Thursday, 05 August 2021 09:48 AM

Most Sri Lankans consider the disappearance and apparent murder of these children as a non-issue, mainly due to the fact that they were Tamils. This is true across the board in Sri Lanka. Even the rich elite think the same.

Thimothy joseph Thursday, 05 August 2021 01:11 PM

Very True... But something they did not understand is... Then Tamils Now Muslims Tomorrow Christians and the cycle goes on..

Rafeek Thursday, 05 August 2021 11:42 AM

democracy at work. powerful are right according to their judgement

Shehan Thursday, 05 August 2021 11:51 AM

Hello European, don't act like an European. Count where your roots are. AI is a black sheep today.

kana Thursday, 05 August 2021 11:53 AM

srilanka no low and order

NGO FAILS Thursday, 05 August 2021 11:56 AM

Groups like amnesty international And HRW need to be banned from operating in SRI LANKA

Roshanaly Thursday, 05 August 2021 03:37 PM

Most of the comments justifies the abduction and killing of 11 youth. What a shame.

RP Friday, 06 August 2021 07:24 AM

One word to describe the AG Dept decision SHAME!

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Authorities falter on accountability in ‘Navy 11’ case: Amnesty International

Comments - 20

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