The process of investigation into Allaipiddi massacre case has come to a halt, as the main witness to the incident is feeling insecure to appear in Kayts court. He has informed Additional Magistrate of Kayts, T. Vignarajah, that he is unable to attend any court proceedings in Kayts and has already sought safety in Vanni fearing attempt on his life by Sri Lanka Security forces who may not allow him to travel to Kayts.

In the Allaipiddy massacre took place in May 2006, 13 civilians were allegedly killed by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers.

It is alleged that SLN soldiers from Mandaitheevu Sri Lanka Navy camp surrounded a civilian house in Allaippiddi in Mandaitheevu islet, west of Jaffna , on May 13, 2006 around 8:30 p.m. and started firing that left 8 civilians, including a four months old baby and a four year old son, and their parents killed on the spot.

One of the wounded succumbed to his wounds at Jaffna hospital. 13 civilians were killed in Jaffna islets on that day.

The witness told the Judge that he will be able to identify the soldiers involved in the massacre from an identification parade provided the case was shifted to such a place where his safety will be ensured.

But the magistrate, Mr.Vignarajah, has made it clear that he has no power to transfer a case from one court to another, and it can be possible only if a request is made in an appeal court.

The witness earlier fled from Jaffna peninsula to Kilinochchi in fear of his life, sources said.

Taking the inability of the witness into consideration, the Magistrate Mr. Vignarajah has postponed the inquiry for indefinite period and has directed that the police and naval personnel investigating into the case not to attend courts until further notice.

Earlier, the magistrate had asked the witness to attend an identification parade in Kayts to pinpoint the naval personnel involved in the killings and had assured him of taking adequate security measures for his safety travel to Jaffna peninsula.

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