No time frame for Pottuvil report - SLMM

Manjula FERNANDO

COLOMBO: The SLMM said yesterday it has not set itself any time frame to finalise the report on the Pottuvil massacre and was still in the course of investigating and recording statements.

SLMM spokesman Thorfinur Omarsson commenting on media reports that their findings are to be finalised this week, said they have not set a time frame to conclude the investigations as it was difficult to do so.

Asked what they propose to do once the report is out, whether it will be made public he said " it depends on the findings."

Ten innocent Muslim civilians who were working on an irrigation channel were massacred on September 18 by unknown assassins.

While a sole survivor, Kareem N. Mohideen who survived the assault professed they were attacked by LTTE cadres, some sections of the villagers accused the STF for the killings.

The SLMM initiated an investigation into the incident and also recorded a statement from a survivor warded in the Ampara hospital, receiving treatment for his wounds.

Omarsson said the report could probably be ready by this week but he could not say it for certain.