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Case 1:11-cv-00235-CKK Document 20 Filed 02/29/12

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

KASIPPILLAI MANOHARAN, et al.,Plaintiffs, v. PERCY MAHENDRA RAJAPAKSA,

MEMORANDUM OPINION (February 29, 2012)

Plaintiffs Kasippillai Manoharan, Kalaiselvi Lavan, and Jeyakumar Aiyathurai (“Plaintiffs”) filed suit against Defendant Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa, in his individual and official capacity as the President of Sri Lanka, alleging violations of the Torture Victim Protection Act of 1991 (“TVPA”). Compl., ECF No. [1]. The United States filed a Suggestion of Immunity on behalf of Defendant, asserting Defendant Rajapaksa is immune from suit while he is in office. Suggestion of Immunity (“Sugg. of Imm.”), ECF No. [12], at 1. The Court provided Plaintiffs an opportunity to respond to the Suggestion of Immunity, and the United States filed a reply.1 The Court finds that the United States’ Suggestion of Immunity is binding on the Court and dispositive of the Court’s jurisdiction. Therefore, Plaintiffs’ [8] Motion to Enter Order Validating Service of Process is DENIED and this case is DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.