Media intimidated by military at rape inquiry against Navy personnel

25 July 2014

Journalists have been intimidated by the Sri Lankan military and removed from the court complex where the inquiry against Navy personnel regarding the rape of two school girls from Karainagar commenced earlier today, sources in Jaffna told the Tamil Guardian.

The journalists were threatened and their cameras and mobile phones were taken from them by military men in civil, who deleted pictures that were taken.

A protest was also held outside the court complex against the incidents of child abuse committed by the military and called for an end to the intimidation of the victims.

Over 11 members of the Sri Lankan Navy have now been implicated in the rape cases and the proceedings are being closely watched by civil society activists and the local media, after reports emerged that the Sri Lankan military was trying to prevent legal action against its men. Media personnel were told not publish news related to the incidents and the parents of the victims were offered money and threatened to drop the case. The navy commander is reported to have transferred the accused sailors to a naval base in the south of the island.

See related articles:

Girl was raped by Navy men for 11 days – TNA MP (22 July 2014)

Sexual violence and militarisation in North-East are closely interlinked – K Guruparan (20 July 2014)

Locals protest against rape of 11y girl by SL navy in Karainagar (19 July 2014)

Sri Lankan navy personnel suspected of rape released by police (18 July 2014)

11 year old girl raped by navy officer in Jaffna (16 July 2014)