rapa
06-29-2007, 02:40 PM
A programme associate at the finance section of the United Nations country office in Colombo, Vasuki Mahendran had left Colombo last afternoon with her husband and children due to extortion threats. She is reported to be a relative of a former Minister.
Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC) on Disappearances convener Mano Ganeshan said she might be the first relief agency person to receive threats of abduction. Ms. Vasuki has lodged a complaint with the CMC before her exit, according to Mr. Ganeshan.
According to Mr. Ganesan, Vasuki, a resident of Havelock Road had received a phone call from an unknown person on Sunday around 10.45 pm. The caller had allegedly demanded Rs. 5 million to be paid not later than Monday morning at Dehiwela. They had asked Ms. Mahendran to bring the money in her vehicle.
Vasuki Mahendran had also told the CMC that their household at Havelock Road was searched by the Army on June 19. The Army officers had claimed that they had conducted the searched after receiving an anonymous telephone call that the Mahendran household was harbouring a "three wheeler".
Meanwhile, the CMC, commenting on the election of Ambassador Dayan Jayatilake as one of the four Vice Presidents in the UN Human Rights Council, said this was a great opportunity for the government to put its act together on the human rights issue.
"The vice presidency is not a credit but a responsibility. This responsibility comes with the demand for fair investigations and efficient preventive measures," it added.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/27/front/05.asp
Civil Monitoring Commission (CMC) on Disappearances convener Mano Ganeshan said she might be the first relief agency person to receive threats of abduction. Ms. Vasuki has lodged a complaint with the CMC before her exit, according to Mr. Ganeshan.
According to Mr. Ganesan, Vasuki, a resident of Havelock Road had received a phone call from an unknown person on Sunday around 10.45 pm. The caller had allegedly demanded Rs. 5 million to be paid not later than Monday morning at Dehiwela. They had asked Ms. Mahendran to bring the money in her vehicle.
Vasuki Mahendran had also told the CMC that their household at Havelock Road was searched by the Army on June 19. The Army officers had claimed that they had conducted the searched after receiving an anonymous telephone call that the Mahendran household was harbouring a "three wheeler".
Meanwhile, the CMC, commenting on the election of Ambassador Dayan Jayatilake as one of the four Vice Presidents in the UN Human Rights Council, said this was a great opportunity for the government to put its act together on the human rights issue.
"The vice presidency is not a credit but a responsibility. This responsibility comes with the demand for fair investigations and efficient preventive measures," it added.
http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/06/27/front/05.asp