Jaffna prison inmate on hunger strike

[TamilNet, Monday, 05 May 2008, 14:28 GMT]
A young family man from Point Pedro in Vadmaraadchi who had been placed in protective custody of Jaffna Prison due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and SLA-backed paramilitaries began a hunger strike Sunday, demanding improved basic facilities in Jaffna Prison or his release from the facility, fellow inmates said in Jaffna Court.

A private house was converted into prison in Jaffna with the SLA occupation of Jaffna peninsula in 1996.

Nearly 400 inmates are crammed into this house which can only accommodate one hundred persons with the existing basic facilities.

Excessive seasonal heat and overcrowding had led to the break of chicken pox infection in Jaffna Prison.

Jaffna Prison officials, however, opted not to comment on the hunger strike and the demand made by the young family man.

The fellow inmates are considering to join him in the hunger strike.