Jaffna University Teachers urge immediate release of Selvarajah Raveendran

[TamilNet, Friday, 27 March 2009, 17:31 GMT]
Abducted Jaffna University lecturer Selvarajah Raveendran should be released immediately so as to enable the smooth function of Jaffna University and to expel the fear and anxiety that prevails among the tutorial staff of Jaffna University, Jaffna University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) urged in a press report released Friday.

Raveendran, a lecturer in Jaffna University and the younger brother of Jaffna District Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Selvarajah Kajendran, was following a postgraduate course in Moratuwa University, the press release said.

Raveendran was abducted Tuesday night by armed persons inside the high security area in Madiwela in Colombo while he was returning to the parliamentarian's residence, according to police.

Meanwhile eyewitnesses said Mr. Raveendran was stopped by a police sentry for a routine check. A short while later a van arrived on the scene and bundled him off into the vehicle before speeding away.

The incident took place barely 48 hours before TNA was to decide its position on accepting an invitation for a meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse that was scheduled for Thursday evening.

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