FOUR ARMY OFFICERS RELIEVED FROM SERVICE PENDING INQUIRY ON WELIWERIYA

August 30, 2013 

A Brigadier and three Lieutenant Colonels involved in the controversial Weliweriya incident were relieved from their posts by the Army Chief to facilitate further inquiries, Sri Lanka Army said today.

The Brigadier, who was the Area Commander, and the three Lieutenant Colonels, in charge of divisions, have been sent to the regiment centers, Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said.

Army Commander Lieut. Gen. Daya Ratnayake has also ordered an investigation into evidence to determine whether they are adequate for a Court Martial hearing against the officers in question. 

In addition to this the Army Commander has also decided to appoint a board, comprising high-ranking officers, for recommendations to prevent such incidents from taking place in the future, the spokesman said.  

The army had come under pressure after soldiers fired on unarmed locals on August 1 in Weliweriya, killing three and injuring several others, as they protested against a factory which they say polluted their ground water.

Apart from opposition parties and rights groups, the US and the European Union have condemned the August 1 shooting and called for a speedy civilian inquiry to prosecute those responsible.

The Sri Lanka Armyt had named a five-member board of inquiry to probe the allegations against the troops. 

Gampaha SP called the Army

By Ishara Rathnakara-Friday, 30 Aug 2013

During proceedings held at the Gampaha Chief Magistrate's Court on the Rathupaswala incident yesterday (29), it was revealed that the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Gampaha, had called the Army to disperse the protesters, who were engaged in a demonstration, demanding pure drinking water. President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), Upul Jayasuriya, who appeared on behalf of the aggrieved party, told the Chief Magistrate, Tikiri Jayatilaka, that it had not been revealed as to who had called the Army to come to Rathupaswala and attack the protesters.

Officers of Police Crime Division, Colombo, informed Court the SP for Gampaha had called the Army with the intention of dispersing the protesters with the assistance of the police.

This information had not been revealed up to yesterday (29) since the incident took place on 1 August...which was 29 days ago, Court was further informed.

Three persons who were injured in the incident at Rathupaswala also gave evidence in Court yesterday.

The case was put off till 6 September.