Deportation issue raised with German Envoy

[TamilNet, Saturday, 18 March 2000, 18:50 GMT]
Batticaloa District Member of Parliament, Mr. Selvarajah, has appealed to the German Envoy in Colombo not to deport Sri Lankan Tamils who have sought asylum in Germany as it would endanger their lives in the hands of Sri Lanka security forces, said sources in Colombo.

Mr.Pon.Selvarajah has brought to the notice of the German Embassy here that of 20 Sri Lankans deported to Colombo last week, 18 Tamils were taken into custody by the Police soon after they landed at Katunayake airport under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Mr.Selvarajah further stated in his letter that the arrested Tamil youths have been subjected to severe torture and harassment.

"We are told that about 5000 Sri Lankan Tamils in Germany are to be deported to Colombo as their asylum applications have been rejected.Until permanent peace and a lasting political solution is found for the ethnic problem, we request you not to deport Sri Lankan Tamils from Germany," said Mr.Pon Selvarajah.