June 25, 2013, 9:21 pm

by Dasun Edirisinghe


The JVP yesterday claimed that there was no need for a Presidential Commission to investigate the Matale mass grave as there was already a case pending in Court.


JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath said that the then President, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga had also appointed a commission to probe disappearances in the Central, North-Western, North-Central and Uva Provinces, chaired by T. Sundaralingam in 1995.


"The recommendations of that commission have not yet been implemented," MP Hearth said, adding that the commission report had named those responsible including politicians, military and police personnel for extra-judicial killings during the 1987– 89 period.


The Matale mass grave came to light while some labourers were digging the Matale Hospital grounds, in November last year, to lay the foundation for a bio-gas unit. Forensic and archeological experts confirmed that the 55 skeletons and other remains, unearthed there, belonged to those who had died during to 1987–89 period. Relatives of disappeared youth, in the Matale District, during the period, have come forward to give evidence in the case.


Seven months after discovering the grave, President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week appointed a commission to investigate it.