Vavunaya (SL): Sri Lanka today claimed that
an inquiry had found no truth in reports that military guards
had traded sex for food in welfare camps set up for Tamil
refugees during the final phase of the country's war against
LTTE.
"With authority I can tell you that no such incident has
happened," Maj Gen Kamal Gunaratne, a top Sri Lankan commander
in the Wanni region said.
Gunaratne also said that an inquiry had been conducted
and nothing was found.
He claimed if such allegations were there against forces
or government officials, they had the liberty to complain to
authorities.
The General claimed that soldiers of his army were
"highly disciplined" and had taken part in humanitarian
operations, saving many precious lives.
British Sunday paper, 'The Observer' had reported that
Sri Lankan soldiers guarding the refugee camps teeming with
people had traded sex for food.
Quoting a 25-year-old refugee Vany Kumar, who was locked
up in a camp for four months, said not only military guards
traded sex for food with Tamil women but prisoners were also
being made to kneel for hours in the sun.
"I'm sure no such incident has taken place. More than 90
per cent of government administrative officials are Tamils. If
there is any such incident, it will be highlighted," the
General said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 23, 2009, 18:20