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Red
Cross/Red Crescent Movement condemns murder of Sri Lanka Red Cross
staff Joint press release by the ICRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society 4 June 2007 The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement strongly condemns the abduction and murder of two Sri Lanka Red Cross Society staff members which occurred in the capital Colombo on 1 June. Sinnarasa Shanmugalingam (32) and Karthekesu Chandramohan (26) had worked for the Batticaloa branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross for many years. They had been in Colombo attending a training workshop organized by the Sri Lanka Red Cross national headquarters. At about 6.45 p.m. on 1 June they were abducted from Fort railway station in Colombo by unknown men while waiting to return to Batticaloa. Their bodies were found on 2 June at the Dumbara Estate in Kiriella, Ratnapura district. "We are shocked by these brutal murders and wish to convey our sincere condolences to the family members and colleagues of the dead", said Sri Lanka Red Cross director general Neville Nanayakkara. At the same time, the Movement calls upon the Sri Lankan authorities to carry out an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the killings. The Movement reminds the parties to the conflict that murder is prohibited under international humanitarian law, and that they must respect the work of humanitarian agencies and refrain from any acts that might jeopardize humanitarian staff or activities. It also urges them to take all necessary measures to ensure that aid workers assisting the civilian population and persons not or no longer taking part in the hostilities are spared from attack and can move freely and safely. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will carry on with its conflictrelated and post-tsunami work in Sri Lanka. For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact: Merrick Peiris, SLRC Colombo, tel. +94 11 534 70 00 or 0773 68 86 47 Matthew Cochrane, IFRC Geneva, tel. +41 22 730 44 26 or +41 79 308 9804 Patrick Fuller, IFRC Colombo, tel. +94 11 45 28 698 or 0773 50 21 54 Davide Vignati, ICRC Colombo, tel. +94 11 250 33 46 or +94 77 728 96 82 Carla Haddad, ICRC Geneva, tel. +41 22 730 24 05 or +41 79 217 32 26 The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. © International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies |
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