DNA TESTS PROVE THE HUMAN REMAINS ARE NOT OF FR. JIM BROWN OR HIS AIDE

Investigations continue into the disappearance of Fr. Brown

The thirty-four year old Parish Priest of Allaippiddy, Jaffna, Fr. Thiruchelvam Nihal Jim Brown, is reported missing since 20 August 2006. Mr. Wenceslaus Vincent Vimalan, aged 38, who accompanied the priest, also disappeared with the priest.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sri Lanka Police conducted investigations into the case and reported to the Kayts Magistrate’s Court that Fr. Brown and his colleague had been traveling on a motor cycle at the time of their disappearance.

On March 14, 2007, police recovered a mutilated male body in a green plastic bag. The body was caught in a fishing net along the coast in Punguduthivu, an islet off the Jaffna peninsula. When the body was discovered, the Tamilnet, which is the communication organ of the LTTE, tried to tie the disappearance of Father Brown with the discovered human remains, alleging government involvement.

Following a magisterial order, a post mortem examination into these human remains was conducted by a senior Professor in Forensic Medicine of the University of Colombo. Thereafter, the Molecular Medicine Unit of the University of Kelaniya conducted a DNA analysis and found that the human remains are not of either Rev. Jim Brown or his aide Mr. Vincent Vimalan. The report has been forwarded to the Magistrate in Kayts.

The Tamilnet has been proved incorrect in its surmising.

The Criminal Investigation Department is continuing with its investigation into the disappearance of Rev. Brown. His disappearance is one of the cases scheduled to be investigated into by the Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate and inquire into alleged serious violations of human rights.