Anuradhapura court rules on Jaffna civilians

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 July 1999, 20:14 GMT]
Several civilians arrested in the Jaffna peninsula by the Sri Lankan security forces have been released on bail by the Anuradhapura Magistrate in the centre of the island, the Forum for Human Dignity said.

Sinnathamby Thiagarajah, his wife Kamalathevi, his daughter Rathika and son Sathananthan of Kottady in Jaffna were arrested by the Army on March 29, this year following the arrest of Thiagarajah Kugathasan on March 04.

The entire family Sinnathamby Thiagarajah were then produced before the Anuradhapura Magistrate who ordered them to be remanded at the Kalutara prison.

When they were produced in Anuradhapura Magistrate's court on July 14 Attorney-at-law Renie Gordon Rayan appeared for the suspects, on behalf of the Forum for Human Dignity and moved for bail.

The Magistrate thereafter granted all the detainees cash and surety bail.

Mahintharajah Praman and Vairamuthu Varathan of Chavakachcheri who were arrested on March 6 and kept in Kalutara prison were allowed in bail by the Anuradhapura Magistrate on the same day.

Meanwhile Satkunalingam Gunamayuran of Kantharmadam arrested on January 1 and kept at Kalutara prison was discharged by the Anuradhapura Magistrate.

Two Tamil women, Theepa and Balaparmeswary who were released on bail in May last year, after five months' detention at Welikada prison were also discharged by the Anuradhapura Magistrate on July 14.