ACTION REQUEST

Sri Lanka: Rape and killing of woman

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
LKA 050100.VAW

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Sri Lanka.
Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by reliable sources of the alleged rape and killing of Sarathambal
Saravanbavananthakurukal on the evening of Tuesday 28th December 1999.

According to the information received, Sarathambal Saravanbavananthakurukal, of a Hindu Brahmin family, was forcibly dragged from her home, in Pungudutivu, near Jaffna Peninsula, by Sri Lankan Navy soldiers. They then gang-raped and murdered her. The body of the 29 year-old mother was found the following morning, under leaves, not far from her home near
Kannaki Amman Temple.

It is further reported that on 30th December 1999, President Chandrika Kumaratunga has ordered an immediate investigation
into these events. However, according to the neighbours of Sarathambal, the suspects have been transferred from the area
perhaps as a preventative measure to avoid action being taken against them.

The International Secretariat expresses its grave concern over the continued reports of torture, including rape, of both women and young girls by Sri Lankan soldiers during the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka. Previous cases suggest that many rapes often go unpunished and without any remedies. (See case LKA 100899.VAW)

Action requested

Please write to the authorities of Sri Lanka urging them to

i. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive inquiry into the rape and killing of Sarathambal Saravanbavananthakurukal, bring those responsible before a competent and impartial tribunal
and apply the penal, civil and administrative sanctions provided by law;

ii. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of the family of Sarathambal Saravanbavananthakurukal and
ensure them the right to adequate reparation;

iii. adopt immediate measures to put an end to these acts of torture and killings;

iv. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws
and international human rights standards.

Addresses

Her Excellency President Chandrika B. Kumaratunga,
Presidential Residence, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
Fax94 - 1 - 333 - 703

Mr. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Posts,
Telecommunications and Media, Old CTO Building
Lotus Rd, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka

Inspector General of Police, Police Headquarters, New
Secretariat, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka

Hon. Ambassador, Permanent Mission and Consulate General of
Sri Lanka, 56, Rue De Moillebeau,
5th Floor, 1 209, Geneva 19, Switzerland, Fax(41-22) 734 9084,
E-mailmission.srilanka@itu.ch

Hon. High-Commissioner, The High Commission of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka 13 Hyde Park
Gardens London W2 2LU United Kingdom Fax(0171) 262-7970,
E-maillancom@easynet.co.uk

Geneva, 05 December 2000