Missing HR activist’s body exhumed

By Susitha R. Fernando

The body of human rights activist Pattinin Razeek who disappeared more than one and half years ago was exhumed before Valachchenai Magistrate on a lead given by a suspect today.

The body was buried within a half built private house in a remote village in Uddamaveli, Valachchenai. The Valachchenai Magistrate ordered to send the body to the Government Analyst Department for the scientific identification.

The position of the body was uncovered following a lead given by suspect Ismail Mohamed Musteen who was arrested by police. Earlier the police had identified Shahabdeen Nowshaadh as the chief suspect in Mr. Razeek’s disappearance.

Razeek, head of the Community Trust Fund (CTF), a Sri Lankan NGO based in the town of Puttalam had been missing since February 11, 2010, after disappearing in the town of Polonnaruwa.