04 November, 2007 - Published 17:51 GMT

SLA accused of killing civilians

The judiciary in the northern Sri Lanka has ordered a senior Sri Lanka Army (SLA) officer to appear before the courts as five bodies of civilians found in Vavuniya.

Vavuniya district Judge ordered the police to record a statement from the officer in charge of Vessankulama SLA camp and produce him before the courts on Monday.

Five unidentified bodies were found shot dead near the camp on Sunday morning.

Four of the bodies were later identified by the relatives at the inquest.

Gunshots heard

They disappeared after leaving for work two days ago, relatives told the magistrate inquest.

Relatives were told by the officials at the SLA camp that they had no knowledge of the five men despite information that the men were detained there.

Another witness told the inquest that he heard the noise of a van and gunshots near the camp on Saturday night.

In a letter to the top security officials in Vavuniya, district judge M Ilanchelian has urged maximum cooperation with the investigation.