19 December, 2007 - Published 17:37 GMT

'Safeguard' humanitarian workers

Condemning the abduction and the murder of a Red Cross worker in Jaffna, the European Union (EU) has called on Sri Lanka to take measures to safeguard humanitarian workers.

Chairman of the Red Cross Jaffna branch Thavarajah who was selected the "best volunteer" in 2005 was found shot dead on 14 December.

Extending condolences to Thavarajah's family and colleagues, the EU statement issued on behalf of the EU by UK High Commission in Colombo had reminded that the killing is 'not the first such incident'.

Red Cross workers killed

"The environment in which aid workers operate has become increasingly difficult. We believe it is important that the essential work of humanitarian organisations is supported and that their staff are safeguarded," it said.

The EU has urged Sri Lanka government to investigate the killings and to "ensure that those responsible are brought to justice".

Thavarajah is the third Red Cross worker to be killed in Sri Lanka within six Months.

Two Sri Lanka Red Cross workers were found killed in June, this year.

The government launched an investigation though the culprits are yet to be brought into justice.

Sri Lanka downgraded

The EU condemnation was issued as Sri Lanka was downgraded to Grade B in terms of human rights by an international monitoring body.

The decision by International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights to downgrade Sri Lanka's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) means the NHRC has reduced to a mere observer in international meetings, watchdogs said.

As a result, the commission no longer has the right to vote in international meetings, New York based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

Sri Lanka's permanent representative at the UN, Dr. Dayan Jayathilake admitted the situation is regrettable and disadvantageous for Sri Lanka.

However, Ambassador Jayathilake accused the LTTE of being responsible for the deterioration of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.