Inquiry clears Army's name

Allan Rock proved wrong

by Ranga Jayasuriya

An internal army inquiry has cleared the security forces of allegations by the UN special envoy Allan Rock and the Sri Lankan truce monitors that troops helped the Karuna faction abduct children used as child soldiers.

The finding of the inquiry states the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission has deliberately tried to create a link between the security forces and the abductions of children by the Karuna faction, despite the repeated denial by the ground commanders.

The inquiry has examined the complaints of abductions reported during January 1, 2006 to December 09.

The inquiry in its conclusions has admitted that both the Karuna faction and the Vanni LTTE were involved in child conscription and that there were instances where the children joined either party voluntarily. It also states that due to the shortage of troops, the security forces could not patrol the large swathes of populated area which comes under its control all the time.

The inquiry panel has interviewed the parents of children abducted by the Karuna faction. The Parents have, in no instances, the security forces for the abductions. According to the statements by the parents, the children who refused to join the Karuna faction have been handed back to them, while those who joined were paid a monthly salary by the Karuna faction.

According to the findings of the security forces, there are no evidence to suggest these abductions have taken place with the knowledge or the involvement of the security forces.

On one occasion, the SLMM Head of Batticaloa District Arthur Tveiten has apologised to the security forces commanders for blaming the troops for several abductions which happened on November 14. The police investigations later found the youth had been abducted by the LTTE.

The inquiry also states that it was not the parents, but the LTTE, that through its supporters has lodged complaints at the SLMM against the security forces over the involvement in abductions.. When the inquiry panel interviewed the parents, they have claimed their children have joined the Karuna faction voluntarily which pay them a monthly salary.

On June 14, complaints were lodged at the SLMM over the alleged abduction by the Karuna faction of Nithyarasa (26), Thavaseelan (24), Perimbarasa (22), Krishnapillai (18), Krishnaruban (20), Shathishraj (21), Devendram (20), Sandiram (22) and Thayagarasa, all residents of Sandiveli.