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Bhagwati panel begins work

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons headed by Justice P.N. Bhagwati, constituted by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has commenced the investigation into the cases of human rights violations.

Amid growing international concern over allegations of abductions, disappearances and extra-judicial killings, Mr. Rajapaksa in September last announced the constitution of the group in addition to the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry.

Defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference here on Wednesday that the panel would take up three of the 17 cases identified by the Government.

These include the assassination of Lakshman Kadirgamar in August, 2005 and the execution style killing of 17 local aid workers of a French NGO in Muttur in August, 2006.

The Minister said the Mahanama Thilakarathna commission had investigated the cases. The international community had doubts on the veracity of its reports.

He said the arrest of the three Sinhalese journalists a few days ago on charges of links with the LTTE has led to the detention of 10 suspects and a huge cache of arms and weapons.

The Minister said the Government had introduced a "framework of policies" for the international and national NGOs to work within rules and continue their work with dignity.

5 killed in clashes

At least five persons, two security personnel and three Tamil Tigers, were killed on Wednesday in the east in Sri Lanka as the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Kim Howells, toured projects sites in the province funded by his Government.

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