'Probe' killing of fishermen's leader
Trade union leaders in Sri Lanka have urged Indian and Sri Lankan governments to launch a judicial probe on shooting dead a leading trade unionist.
Fr. Sherard Jayawardena, Moderator, All Ceylon Fisher Peoples Trade Union (ACPTU) told BBC Sandeshaya that the post mortem held in Colombo ruled that the death was coursed as a result of a shooting. Warnakulasuriyage Canisius Fernando was shot dead on Friday inside the Madurai Central Jail, where he had gone to meet three Sri Lankan fishermen who were being held for unauthorised entry into Indian waters. Shot by prison guard Sri Lanka's Deputy High commissioner in Chennai P.M.Hamza told BBC Sandeshaya that Indian authorities had informed him of the incident on Friday evening. Indian officials in Madurai say the prison guard who shot Mr Fernando has been suspended and the matter is being investigated. "We urge both India and Sri Lanka to conduct an independent inquiry," Fr. Jayawardene said. Fernando visited Madurai as a representative of fisher folk and the trade unions will continue their agitations against the killing, he added. In a statement issued on Monday, the ACPTU said both Indian and Sri Lankan governments should take responsibility over Fernando's killing. Government denies responsibility The statement signed by M Wijendra and D Lany Francis, General Secretary and the Chairman, the ACPTU also urged Sri Lankan government to pay compensation to Fernando's family. "Canisius Fernando had to intervene as a result of the government's inactivity to do enough to get these fishermen released," Fr. Jayawardene told BBCSinhala.com. The Sri Lankan government however denied the accusation. Deputy Foreign Minisrter Hussein Bahila told BBC Sandeshaya on Sunday that the government doing their utmost to get the fishermen released. It is however too early to decide whether the government would pay compensation to Fernando, he added.