Sri Lanka announced Thursday (13) a long-awaited investigation into the massacre of 27 prisoners that became a symbol of the rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by the war-era regime.
Inspector-general of Police Pujith Jayasundara ordered the investigation into the 2012 bloodshed, when security forces allegedly gunned down inmates in cold blood.
Trouble erupted inside the maximum security Welikada prison when police conducted a sweep for drugs and allegedly faced off with inmates trying to grab their weapons.
Armed troops called in to restore order opened fire on the prisoners, killing more than two dozen.
The incident increased condemnation of former president Mahinda Rajapakse, whose regime was facing international sanctions for presiding over rights abuses in the final years of Sri Lanka's civil war that ended in 2009.
The inmates killed were being held over robberies at Sri Lanka's national museum and a temple, crimes allegedly linked to senior members of Rajapakse's regime.
No one has even been held responsible for the massacre, the worst violence at the prison since 50 inmates were hacked to death in a 1983 riot.
Rajapakse was defeated in January 2015 by president Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power in part on a promise to restore rule of law and ensure accountability for past atrocities and rights abuses.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)