The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I raise this question under Standing Order 27(2). As Suresh Sallay is now under detention, answers to this may assist your ongoing inquiries.

¶ 02 Sri Lanka’s war and its aftermath left many unresolved questions about those killed or detained—activists, civilians and alleged combatants. The circumstances often remain unclear and uninvestigated; serious allegations are documented internationally. Channel 4 broadcasts from 2011 to 2019, including “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields” and “No Fire Zone,” presented alleged war crimes and specific concerns about the conduct of State security forces. I believe the latest dispatch is being investigated under the 2019 Easter attacks, but for the other incidents we want to know if you are investigating.

¶ 03 I draw attention to an incident in April 2014 in Nedunkerni, Vavuniya, where three persons—Selvanayagam Kajeeban (Gopi), Sundaralingam Kajeeban (Thevigan), and Navaratnam Navaneethan (Appan)—were reportedly killed in a military intelligence operation. All three were suspected of links with military intelligence, and the Government at the time said investigations were ongoing.

¶ 04 These killings appear linked to a broader pattern involving State-linked organizations, especially in the Eastern Province—the “Islamic Centre” and the “Tripoli Platoon”—said to have been created and armed with military intelligence support between 2004 and 2014. The common thread is alleged involvement of the State security apparatus and a persistent absence of accountability.

¶ 05 Before my first question, I bring to the Hon. Minister’s attention: it is said these three were pointed out in 2014 in Vavuniya by someone in the background of a Tamil politician and then killed by military intelligence. It is also said the officer who made the identification was later killed. Civilians such as H.E. Fernando were also arrested, and a woman from Kilinochchi was arrested in this matter. I have their photographs here and place them before you for attention.

¶ 06 Questions: 1) What is the current status of the investigations into the deaths of these three individuals? Which authority is conducting them, and what findings so far? 2) Did the Government supply arms to the “Islamic Centre” and the “Tripoli Platoon”? Were weapons recovered and do official records exist? If so, will you table those records?

¶ 07 Hon. Minister, I raise this because Suresh Sallay, who served in the Nuwara Eliya District intelligence, is now under detention. I have a list which I can send you privately. Please compare the numbers of weapons issued and returned in your Ministry’s answers. Also, weapons are being found here and there in Batticaloa District—pistols and T-56 rifles recently. The same people who held them are handing them over claiming discovery. The photos show the men standing behind. I will send you these as well. If you can answer, it will assist ongoing investigations, because these are intelligence operations continuing from 2004.