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7. Death of 51 persons in Naddalamottankulam (Sencholai) in August
2006.
8. Disappearance of Rev. Nihal Jim Brown of Philip Neri’s Church at
Allaipiddy on August 28, 2006.
9. Killing of five fishermen and another person at Pesalai beach and at
the Pesalai Church on June 17, 2006.
10. Killing of 13 persons in the Kayts police area on May 13, 2006.
11. Killing of 10 Muslim villagers at Radella in Pottuvil police area on
September 17, 2006.
12. Killing of 68 persons at Kebithigollewa on June 15, 2006.
13. Incident relating to the finding of five headless bodies in Awissawella
on April 29, 2006.
14. Killing of 13 persons at Welikanda on May 29, 2005.
15. Killing of 98 security forces personnel in Digampathana, Sigiriya, on
October 16, 2006.
The CoI subsequently decided to add another case:
16. Assassination of Nadarajah Raviraj, member of parliament for Jaffna
district on November 10, 2006.
The decision to create the CoI in itself suggests an admission on the government’s
part that domestic institutions have been incapable of investigating and prosecuting
these serious crimes. If the police, attorney general’s office, and courts were
functioning properly, then a special commission would not be required.
The government presented the commission as a good faith effort to investigate
serious human rights violations. But the commission’s ability to promote
accountability remains very much in doubt, and it is clearly not a substitute for
international human rights monitors who can follow ongoing abuses as they take
place.
First, there is little evidence to suggest that the commission is making significant
headway on the 16 cases on its list. Considerable energy and resources have been
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