Sri Lanka: one man's search for justice for his son

Friday 15 April 2011

As the UN prepares to publish a report into atrocities committed in the Sri Lanka civil war, Channel 4 News hears the story of a man who has been fighting for justice since his son was killed in 2006.

Independent groups believe that at least 20,000 civilians may have died in the period of appalling violence which dominated the end of Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war, as the Government's security forces battled with the Tamil Tiger insurgents.
The UN is preparing a report into atrocities committed by both sides during the war in Sri Lanka, particularly in the final few months.
For many Sri Lankans, the wider picture of international law violations represent human tragedies, deaths and disappearances of family members, for which no one has ever been held to account.
Human tragedy
Dr Kasipillai Manoharan is a 70-year old doctor from Sri Lanka. He has been trying to get justice for his son's murder - which he witnessed - for the last five years.
His son Ragihar was killed by security services in Sri Lanka in 2006. After a grenade blast, his son and four other students were shot.

I know I can't get back to my son but I am now fighting for justice for all communities. Dr Manoharan

Dr Manoharan told Channel 4 News: "My son was killed by security forces. I lost my son. It was a really cruel murder. I know I can't get back to my son but I am now fighting for justice for Tamils and for Sinhalese, for all communities."

             

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