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Last updated: 25 March, 2007 - Published 19:39 GMT
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'Punish' 80s Rights perpetrators
Relatives of disappered in Seenigama Kovil (photo Gnanasiri Koththigoda)
Over 60000 were killed and thousands more missing during Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) upring in late 80s

Hundreds of parents and relatives of those disappeared in late 80s appealed authorities to punish the killers.

Relatives of the disappeared gathered to Seenigama Kovil in Hikkaduwa to urge the God's help in punishing the culprits.

Dressed in white, the relatives marched to the Kovil with placards urging the authorities not to let the crimes against humanity to happen again.

Torture in STF camp

Deslin Rodrigo from Payagla recealled how her son and herself were captured by the security forces during the 'era of terror'.

"They handed over us to the STF. My son was killed the same day," she told journalist Gnanasiri Koththigoda.

A mother holding the picture of her missing son (photo Gnanasiri Koththigoda)
A mother recalled how she escaped while her son was killed in a STF camp

"Six members of my son-in-law's family were butchered and burnt together".

Chandrapala Jagoda, a father of four, is missing since he was arrested and taken to Baddegama police in late 80s.

He was arrested in Katunayake airport while trying to leave the country.

Jagoda's wife, HP Ariyawathie, says she was made homeless as security forces even destroyed their house.

"He was in Baddegama police station for 11 days. The 12 day, I was told I couldn't see him. He is missing ever since".

HS Nalini, from Karandeniya, was working in Mid-East in 1989 when her husband and 17-year old son were taken away.

'Teacher' President Rajapaksa

"I was threatened when I went to an army camp. I said don't kill me alone, kill me together with my three daughters".

The relatives from Galle and Kalutara districts urged President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement his pledges on disappearance in late 80s.

 it is President Mahinda Rajapaksa who taught us how to protest against disapperances
HR activist Jayanthi Dandeniya

Jayanthi Dandeniya, Secretary of Families of the Disappeared said : "it is President Mahinda Rajapaksa who taught us how to protest against disapperances".

"And hopefully now he would take action to punish the perpetrators," Dandeniya told BBC Sandeshaya.

Over 60000 were killed and thousands more missing during Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) uprising in late 80s.

JVP leader, Somawansa Amerasinghe, accepted that the party is responsible for at least 6000 deaths.

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