Hunger strike by ex-LTTE detainees called off

Hunger strike by ex-LTTE detainees called off
2015-10-17 12:03:18  1  1023
   

The hunger strike launched by suspected ex-LTTE detainees has been called off after the assurance given by the President to set up a mechanism to look into their issues.

Prisons Commissioner General Rohana Pushpakumara said he and opposition leader R. Sampanthan, TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran visited the prisoners at the Magazine Prison in Colombo this morning and informed them that President Maithripala Sirisena had directed the Justice Minister to formulate a mechanism to look into their issues and finish the process between October 31 and November 07.

Mr. Pushpakumara said he would inform the prisoners in Anuradhapura and Bogambara prison too about the decision.

Ex-LTTE cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo and several other prisons had launched a hunger strike on Monday calling for their release.


Possible release for some Tamil prisoners
2015-10-17 10:06:30  2  1023
   
Some prisoners held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) are likely to be released soon in the wake of President Maithripala Sirisena directing that this matter be expedited, Opposition Leader R. Sampathan said yesterday.

He said the President had directed Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe to release some of the prisoners when this matter was referred to him.

Mr. Sampathan told Daily Mirror the minister had referred this matter with the President after a discussing with a TNA delegation.

He said the mentioned prisoners would be released after the legal procedures were attended to.

"However, no relief will be given to those charged with serious offenses," Mr. Sampathan said.

Nearly 150 prisoners detained under the PTA staged a hunger strike from Monday but they are expected to give up the hunger strike today.(Yohan Perera)