Tamil detainees in Anuradhapura prison suspend fast on condition

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 30 September 2009, 07:13 GMT]
Forty-three Tamil political detainees in Anuradhapura prison Tuesday evening called off their fast unto death campaign on a request by the Commissioner of Prisons that their problem would be sorted out within five weeks. The Commissioner of Prison rushed to Anuradhapura prison and met with fasting Tamil detainees. Tamil detainees began their fast Monday afternoon demanding their release or to subject them to judicial inquiry in courts.

They are being held from two to five years in the Anuradhapura prison without any inquiry and without any charges framed against them under, the Terrorism Prevention Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations (ER).

Tamil detainees on fast decided to call off their campaign on an appeal by the Prison Commissioner that he needed five weeks time to look into their problem.

However, the detainees told the Prison Commissioner that they would recommence their fast if the authorities fail to fulfill their demands.

The outcome of the deal was conveyed to Vanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr. Sivasakthi Anandan by Tamil detainees immediately.

Meanwhile, about fifteen Tamil detainees in Jaffna prison have begun fasting campaign from Tuesday evening demanding release or to subject them to judicial inquiry.