TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

JUSTICE FOR THE TRINCO FIVE!

Ragihar Manoharan and four other Sri Lankan Tamil students (known as the “Trinco Five” students) were killed by security forces on January 2, 2006 in the city of Trincomalee, in northeastern Sri Lanka. Authorities have failed to effectively prosecute anyone for their murder. Their case is emblematic of the thousands of people subjected to human rights violations in Sri Lanka by government forces.

Two police investigations and a commission of inquiry on the “Trinco Five” students have yet to result in anyone being held accountable. Call on the Sri Lankan government to effectively investigate and prosecute those responsible for these murders so that the families of the students may at last receive justice.

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President

Ranil

Wickremesinghe

Sri Lankan Government

Dear Ranil Wickremesinghe,
 
I am very concerned about the killing of Ragihar Manoharan and four other Sri Lankan Tamil students on January 2, 2006 in Trincomalee.  According to a witness, members of the Sri Lankan security forces shot the five innocent students dead when they had gathered near the seafront that evening for a chat.
 
An initial police investigation into the killings did not disclose who killed the students or lead to any prosecutions.  The Sri Lankan government established an ad hoc commission of inquiry in September 2006 to examine this case and certain others.  The commission’s final report was given to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2009 but was not made public until October 2015.  A police sub-inspector and 12 Special Task Force personnel were arrested in February 2006 in connection with the case but later released without any charges being brought.  In July 2013, the same STF personnel were re-arrested and then released on bail on October 14, 2013.  In July 2019, the court acquitted them due to lack of sufficient evidence; the Attorney General subsequently ordered the police to re-open the investigation.  To date, after 14 years, no one has been held responsible for these murders.
 
The families of Ragihar Manoharan and the four other students deserve justice.  Please ensure that those responsible for their deaths are finally held accountable in proceedings meeting international standards for fair trials.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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