Execution video fake The HINDU

Execution video fake, says Colombo

B. Muralidhar Reddy
Sri Lanka on Thursday characterised the video footage aired by Channel 4 U.K. Television on August 25, showing alleged execution of civilians by persons in military uniform, as 'fake'.
Sri Lanka on Thursday characterised the video footage aired by Channel 4 U.K. Television on August 25, showing alleged execution in January of civilians by persons in military uniform, as “fake” and expressed concern over an “increasing number of comments” from some sections of the international community on the video.
In a statement here, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said his government reiterated its strong and unequivocal rejection of the contents of the video footage telecast on Channel 4 on the grounds that there was absolutely no truth in its concocted story.
“It is also a deliberate and sinister attempt to cause embarrassment and bring disrepute to the government of Sri Lanka. It is indeed deeply regretted that despite the government of Sri Lanka refuting these allegations, some sections of the international community are repeating these allegations which appear to be an orchestrated campaign against Sri Lanka,” he said.
The Minister said the video footage was reported to have been filmed in January at an unidentified location, at a time when there was a substantial presence of the international community, especially in the areas of conflict.
“At that time, the LTTE was also an active, fighting force. If such atrocities had taken place as claimed, then it is highly unlikely that the international community would have remained silent and continued to remain so, for over eight months. Considering the fact that the LTTE was finally eliminated only during the latter part of May, it is surprising that no attempt was made by the LTTE or its front organisations to bring these alleged atrocities or this video to light at the time they remained active,” he said.
Mr. Bogollagama said doctoring of videos in this day and age of modern technology was a common occurrence and the credentials of the group, ‘Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka’ which supplied the video footage were also in question.