Ban Ki-Moon is 'concerned' about security of civilians and aid workers

Strongly condemening the "brutal killings" the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has demanded that the police thoroughly investigate the incident.

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the security of civilians and aid workers in Sri Lanka and reminds all parties in the country that aid workers have a right to protection at all times," a statement issued by the Secretary General's office said.

IASC statement

Bodies of Sinnarasa Shanmugalingam, 32, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRC) Volunteer Unit and Karthikesu Chandramohan, 27, Assistant Executive Officer were found in Kiriella, Ratnapura district on saturday morning.

Government says the killings are aimed at 'tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka' and discrediting the government

Head of SLRC Batticaloa branch K Vasantharajah said six of their employees were waiting at the station to return home after attending a two-day workshop in Colombo.

Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) at Ratnapura hospital Dr. Ajith Tennakoon told the post-mortem inquiry that two workers were shot at head using micro-type pistol.

These abductions and killings seems to be clearly aimed at discrediting both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government on the issue of Human Rights violations Sri Lanka government

There were no signs of any internal or external injuries in the bodies, Dr. Ratnayake added.

The Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in Sri Lanka, which includes UN agencies, says it is seriously concerned on the safety of aid workers.

The killings, a statement issued by IASC said, are "an ominous sign of an evolving situation in which aid workers are are facing increasing difficulties".

Sri Lanka government statement

Ban Ki-Moon has also reminded Sri Lanka Government of its obligation to investigate the murders of 17 Action Contre la Faim aid workers who were killed in August, last year.

	Forensic experts say the workers were shot at close range

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered an immediate and thorough inquiry into the killings, a statement by the Presidential Secretariat said.

The abduction and killing of aid workers is an attempt to discredit the government and "tarnish the image of Sri Lanka," it said.

The abduction and killing "seems to be clearly aimed at discrediting both President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government on the issue of Human Rights violations," according to Sri Lanka government.

Asian Human Rights Commission

The Hong Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) however accused the government of creating the conditions that led to lawlessness in the country.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the security of civilians and aid workers in Sri Lanka and reminds all parties in the country that aid workers have a right to protection at all times UN Secretary General

"The position of the government appears to be that such things are beyond their control.In fact, the situation has been going on for many months now and the government has not shown any willingness or capacity to deal with it.

Instead everything that the government has done has contributed to the worsening of the already bad situation," a statement issued by the AHRC said.

The Rights body has accused Sri Lanka government of failing to bring perpetrators of many Rights violations into justice, since President Rajapaksa came into power.